Gimme SIX! Your Research Paper in 6 Easy Steps

How to do a research project using the Big Six Method

Task definition

• What is the problem? What do I have to do?

• What do I need to complete this task? Do I understand the assignment?

Finding Information

• Information Seeking Strategies

• Brainstorm all possible sources: Go to Media Center, look in encyclopedia, go online to a reference source, ask a friend to help, ask the Media specialist, and then select the BEST source with the most information.

Location & Access

• Find sources of information. Where will I go? (to the media center, to the public library, my computer at home)

• Find the information within the source. Look up the topic in an encyclopedia volume, or use online source

Use of Information

• What is important in this source of information? Read, take notes, ask questions, and determine if material can be used.

• Look for main ideas about the topic assigned. Does the encyclopedia, book, web site contain the correct information needed to answer the research problem?

Synthesis

• How can I put the information together? I must organize the notes, paragraphs, and data from all my sources, and then create one research paper.

• I will use NOTES from books, encyclopedias, online references, and prepare a research paper for presentation to the class or for the teacher.

Evaluation

• Did I complete my research paper on the correct topic? Did I make a bibliography (list of references)? Is my project neat and done to the best of my ability? Can I hope for a good grade?

• What did I learn about my topic? Have I grown in my knowledge from doing this research? Did I inform myself and others accurately?

• Research: a careful inquiry to gain information about a topic.

Source: place such as a book , encyclopedia, or online reference used to find information

• Bibliography: list of books, encyclopedias, and online sources used in writing a research paper.

Credits and Thanks

Creators of the Big Six: Michael Eisenberg and Bob Berkowitz