Information Inquiry Research Models

By Wendy West

Purpose of Information Inquiry Models

• Information inquiry models are techniques for students to gain meaningful information.

• According to Callison the five main components to information inquiry are:

1. questioning 2. exploring 3. assimilation 4. inference 5. reflection

Super 3

Pathways to Knowledge

I-Search

Similarities/Differences• All three information inquiry models use all five

components of information inquiry.• The Super 3 model has 3 easy to follow steps that

will be helpful to elementary age students.• The Pathways to Knowledge model uses an

evaluation step after all steps to help students self monitor their progress.

• The I-Search model has 4 easy steps that is used at the high school level.

Maryland VSCVSC Super 3 Pathways to

KnowledgeI-Search

2. Locate Information

Plan Presearch/Search

Find Information

3. Collection Information

Do Search Use Information

4. Organize & Manage Data

Do Communication Develop a final product

5. Interpret Information

Do/Review Evaluation Use InformationDevelop a final product

Standards for the 21st Century Learner

Standard Super 3 Pathways to Knowledge

I-Search

1. Inquire, think critically, gain knowledge

Plan/Do Presearch/Evaluation/Search

Select a topic/Find information

2. Draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge.

Do/Review Evaluation/Interpretation

Use Information

3. Share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society.

Do Communication Develop a final product

4. Pursue personal and aesthetic growth.

Do/Review Appreciation & Enjoyment/ Evaluation

Develop a final product

References

• Follett Software Company (1999). Pathways to Knowledge. Retrieved 26 November 2008 from Follett Software Company: http://www.sparkfactor.com/clients/follett/home.html

• Ed.D, Danny Callison, and Ph.D., Annette Lamb, (2004). Information Age Inquiry. Retrieved 26 November 2008 from http://virtualinquiry.com/inquiry/index.htm

• Eisenberg, Michael B. and Berkowitz, Robert E. (1986). The Big 6. Retrieved 26 November 2008 from http://www.big6.com/kids/K-2.htm

• Woolery, Steve (1997). Researching the I-Search Paper. Retrieved 26 November 2008 from http://members.cox.net/ipeckham/isearch/I-ser_sw.html

• American Library Association (2008). American Association of School Librarians. Retrieved 26 November 2008 from American Library Association: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/aaslproftools/learningstandards/standards.cfm Gallaudet University, . (2000). I-Search Paper Format Guide. English Works! . 9 December, 2008 from http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/writing/formatsheet.html.