PLUG-INs A Student’s Guide to Information Literacy

1. PLUG-INs A Student’s Guide to Information Literacy The RESEARCH PROCESS

2. The ideas in this presentation are based on the Big6TM model developed by Michael B. Eisenberg and Robert E. Berkowitz in 1987. For more information:www.big6.com

3. Doing research is a complex process. Sometimes students do not like doing research because they say it is confusing and frustrating.

4. In this presentation, we will learn how to break down the RESEARCH PROCESS step-by-step. You will see that research can be fun and very interesting.

5. Step 1 is to define or focus your research question or topic. Ask yourself : What am I supposed to do? What do I need to know?

6. What are the questions I need to answer? What information do I need to answer my questions?

7. For example, your general topic is RECYCLING IN SCHOOLS. You need to write a report including ways that your school can recycle and reduce rubbish.

8. You need information in general about rubbish in schools. • What kinds of rubbish do schools create? • How much rubbish is there in schools? • Maybe, how much rubbish per student ? • How do schools deal with rubbish? • How much does it cost to deal with rubbish?

9. Next, you need information about how schools are reducing the amount of rubbish created. And, how schools are recycling their rubbish.

10. Finally, you need to think about the situation in your school. How can your school reduce and recycle rubbish?

11. Maybe, after thinking about these questions, you will decide that your topic is too big. Maybe, you should focus only on paper rubbish or waste from the cafeteria, not all rubbish.

12. Maybe, after thinking about the questions, you will decide that the topic is not big enough. Maybe it would be better to research how your entire town or city deals with rubbish.

13. Step 2 is to think about from WHERE (in what kind of source) you will find the information you need. • Newspapers • Magazines • Scholarly Journals • Books • Reference Books • Online Databases • Internet Websites • Personal Interviews For example :

14. Why use a NEWSPAPER for research ? • Articles about local events • Reports the “newest” information • Photos, charts and graphs • Letters to Editor tell what readers are thinking • Statistics and quick facts

15. What about popular MAGAZINES? • Easy to read short articles • Interesting articles about current events • General info and some details • Photos, charts and graphs • Letters to Editor tell what readers are thinking • Statistics and quick facts

16. What about a SCHOLARLY JOURNAL ? • Written by experts • Sometimes peer-reviewed • Original research and case studies • In-depth articles with details • Bibliographies can lead to other info • Statistics • Photos, charts and graphs

17. What about BOOKS? • Overview & details about a topic • Analysis of topic • Sometimes original research • Sometimes many opinions & viewpoints • Bibliographies can lead to other info • Photos, charts and graphs • Statistics and quick facts

18. What about REFERENCE BOOKS like encyclopedias ? • Written by experts • Overview & details about a topic • Analysis & summary of topic • Bibliographies can lead to other info • Photos, charts and graphs • Statistics and quick facts • Should not be only source

19. What about specialized ONLINE DATABASES ? • Easy to use (after some training) • Newspaper, journal articles and • books all from one search • Generally accurate information • Writers are experts • Details about a topic • Photos, charts, graphs • Statistics and quick facts

20. What about WEBSITES from the Internet ? • Easy to use • Free & available from home • New information • Variety of info • Popular opinion • Info not available in print • BUTneed to be critically evaluated • Should not be only source

21. What about personal INTERVIEWS ? • First hand source of info • Can lead to other sources of info • New information • Very interesting and fun • Popular opinion • Info not available in print

22. After thinking about the sources of the information for your topic (step 2) , you may decide to go back to step 1 and change your topic.

23. It is OK to change the focus of your topic or change your topic completely. This is a normal part of the RESEARCH PROCESS. Discuss changing your topic with your teacher and explain why.

24. Step 3 in the RESEARCH PROCESS is to locate the sources of information. • Where will you find : • Newspapers • Magazines & Scholarly Journals • Books & Reference Books • Online Databases • @YOUR LIBRARY ! ! !

25. Libraries are treasure houses of information and librarians are experts at finding information. Go to the library and ask for help or make an appointment with library staff.

26. You can use the library catalogue from home too. Go to library.hct.ac.ae Review the other Plug In lessons about USING THE LIBRARY CATALOGUE, CALL NUMBERS and ONLINE DATABASES if you are not sure how to find library resources.

27. To find good information from Internet websites, review the Plug In lessons about SUPER GOOGLE, WIKIs and QUESTIONS ABOUT WEBSITES. Finding people to interview about your topic can be easy or difficult. People mentioned in local newspaper articles may be available.

28. At the end of Step 3 (Locating the Information), you can still decide to go back to Step 1 (Deciding on a Topic) or Step 2 (Deciding the sources to use for your topic). Sometimes there are stones in the road of research. Don’t worry; it’s normal.

29. Step 4 in the RESEARCH PROCESS is reading the information you find and taking notes on the useful bits. You can make notes on cards, on regular paper, or using your computer word processor. You can highlight articles you have photocopied.

30. Be sure to note the source of all information if you copy it to a card or piece of paper. If you want to quote or paraphrase it, you will need the source for your Bibliography or Reference List.

31. You can also make your own database, chart or graph to organize the information you find. Sometimes you cannot know what information will be useful, so take lots of notes. You do not have to use all your notes in your final report.

32. Again, you can decide to go back to steps 3, 2 or 1 if you do not find the information you need or if you are not happy with your topic.

33. Step 5 is to organize the information into a report or presentation. Take all the bits of information from different sources and put them together in a new way using your own words.

34. Maybe the final product will be a written report. It could also be a web-posting, a presentation or speech. Your teacher may require a rough draft before you turn in the final product.

35. When you are writing your report or presentation, if you paraphrase or quote directly from a particular source, you must indicate this with INTEXT CITATIONS. Review the Plug In lessons on INTEXT CITATIONS if you do not know how to do this.

36. Included in your final product will be a list of all the sources you read and used. This is called a Bibliography or Reference List. Review the Plug In lessons on WRITING CITATIONS if you do not know how to do this.

37. Step 6 is to think about and evaluate your final product and the process. • Did you do what was required? • Are you happy with your work? • What steps were easy ? • What steps were difficult? • What steps took the most time? • What steps had problems and why? • Would you do it the same way again?

38. Let’s review. Step 1 is to think about and decide on your topic. Step 2 is to think about and decide what sources of information you need.

39. Step 3 is to locate the sources of the information. Step 4 is to read and think about the information you find.

40. Step 5 is to write your report including citations of sources. Step 6 is to think about the process and your product.

41. Remember, sometimes you have to go back a step or two if you are not happy with where you are in the process.

42. I hope this helps you understand the RESEARCH PROCESS. Ask your teacher or your friendly librarian if you have any questions.

43. Thank you for listening. HAPPY READING !