Roy C. Ketcham High School Library Media Center

Big6ä Research Skills Organizer

Fill out #1-5 before you begin your assignment. Do #6 before you hand in your assignment.

Name: __________________________________Date:__________________

Class: _________________________________________

Pre-search strategies: As you contemplate your assignment, ask yourself what is interesting to you about it. If it is a broad subject area, what specific questions can you ask about the subject? Remember to ask How? instead of just What? For example, instead of describing a trend/idea/subject, ask How it changed over time, or How it affected something else.

Big6ä Task #1: Task Definition: Determine a purpose and need for information

In order for your project to be more than just a summary of available facts, or someone else’s ideas, you need to ask an essential question. This will ensure that you have thought critically about the information you have found, rather than just repeating it.

Essential Question (your thesis asked as a question):

What do you already know about your topic? What questions will need to be asked in order to answer your essential question? What information do you need in order to complete your assignment? You will undoubtedly discover more questions as you progress in your research, but start listing questions here:

1._____________________________________________________

2._____________________________________________________

3._____________________________________________________

Possible keywords for use in search engines or databases:

_______________________ _________________________

_______________________ _________________________

Big6ä Task #2:Information Seeking Strategies: Examine alternative approaches to acquiring information. List the best sources to find information. Don’t forget books and magazines, subscription databases available through the RCK Library webpage, and, of course, the Internet*.

*If using websites, remember to evaluate them first for relevancy, accuracy, and authority.

Ask librarian for assistance.

1.____________________________ 2.____________________________

3.____________________________ 4.____________________________

5.____________________________ 6.____________________________

Big6ä Task #3: Location and Access: Locate sources and access the information within them. Where will these information sources be found?

___ RCK Library (PAC terminals, reference book indexes)

___ Grinnell/Mid-Hudson Library System – (access their catalog at the side of the RCK Library page)

___ subscription databases of published articles (available through RCK Library webpage)

___ Internet * ___ Other- (interviews/video?)______________________________

Big6ä Task #4: Use of Information: Use a source to gain information.

How will the information be recorded?

___ Take notes using note cards and the WCSD Research Skills method

___ Take notes using notebook paper

___ Take notes on word processor/computer

___ Take notes using graphic organizer or data chart

___ Illustrate concepts

___ Use tape recorder/video/digital camera

___ Other _______________________________

Big6ä Task #5: Synthesis: Integrate information from a variety of sources.

How will my results be produced?

___ Written paper of _______ pages

___ Oral Presentation

___ Multimedia Presentation using _____________________________

___ Performance __________________________________________

(materials needed: ___________________________________)

___ Other _______________________________________________

How will I give credit to my sources?

___ Use Works Cited Section (Bibliography)

___ Use parenthetical documentation. For examples of both, see

WCSD Research Skills Required for Grades 9-12 (copies available in library)

___ Announce sources used after performance/presentation

___ Other_____________________________________________

How much time will the project take? ________________________hours

Timeline for assignment: Due by:

Ideas for project (Task Definition): _____________

Information seeking (Note taking): _____________

First draft: _____________

Completed assignment: _____________

Big6ä Task #6: Evaluation: Before turning in the assignment, check the following:

___ The paper/project accurately answers the essential question in Task #1

___ The information found in #4 matches the information needed in #1

___ Credit is given to all sources in correct format

___ All copyright laws and fair use guidelines have been followed.

___ The assignment is neat and complete (title page? works cited page?)

___ Should anything be done differently next time?_________________

______________________________________________________________