Information Literacy

  • Research Process

    Step 1

    • Task Definition
      • Define the problem
      • Identify information needs
        •  
          Ask yourself
          • What is my assignment and what specifically do I need to know?
        • Classroom & Media Center Activities
          • Select and explore topic; narrow or broaden your topic and develop a research question/statement

     Step 2

    • Information Seeking Strategies (planning)
      • Determine all possible sources
      • Prioritize sources
        • Classroom & Media Center Activities
          • Identify keywords and consider possible source
        • Ask yourself
          • What words will give me the best results? What types of sources are available for me to use? (electronic, print, interviewsÖ)
        • Resources:
          • Overview of Online catalog/book search, databases & web, Introduce Research log

     Step 3

    • Location & Access (execution)
      • Locate sources
      • Find appropriate information
         
    • Classroom & Media Center Activities
      • Retrieve and start using sources
      • Evaluate sources (web, book, articles)
      • Revise search if needed
    • Ask yourself
      • Do I know how to find information within each source? Have I followed the steps to evaluate my sources?
      • Did I find useful materials?
    • Resources:
      • Online catalog (books)
      • Databases
      • Internet searching

     Step 4

    • Information Use
      • Engage (read, listen, view)
      • Extract information
        • Classroom & Media Center Activities
          • Read
          • Take notes – paraphrase & summarize
          • Create bibliography/works cited
          • Plagiarism lesson
        • Ask yourself
          • Did I put ideas into my own words?
          • Have I discarded information that is not useful?
          • Did I remember to cite all my sources?
        • Resources:
          • Reading strategies
          • Note taking strategies
          • Citation guide (MLA)

    Step 5

    • Synthesis
      • Organize
      •  Present
        • Classroom & Media Center Activities
          • Organize information to use in final product
          • Use of appropriate software
          • Write paper, speech, debate, create slide show, pamphlet, video, poster etc.
          • Present final product to teacher, class, audience
          • Copyright lessons
        • Ask yourself
          • Did I do everything the assignment requires?
          • Is my information organized in a logical order?
          • Have I given credit where credit is due?
        • Resources:
          • Reading strategies
          • Copyright guide
          • Presentation guidelines

     Step 6

    • Evaluate
      • Judge the product
      • Judge the process
        • Classroom & Media Center Activities
          • Reflection on final product and process
        • Ask yourself
          • Did I use my time efficiently?
          • What sources provided the most useful information?
          • What would I do differently?
          • Was there something I didn’t find that I needed?
          • What skills will I use again?
        • Resources:
          • Teacher evaluation

    Links