Information Skills
The Information Process
In the Senior school it is not enough to locate a book on the topic you are researching. You need to think about the RELEVANCY and APPROPRIATENESS of the information as well. It is also necessary to use SEVERAL SOURCES of INFORMATION - so you get different ponits of view.
Once you have located several sources, you need to MAKE NOTES and SUMMARIES - it is not enough to copy word for word or photocopy - make notes so you understand and then SELECT RELEVANT POINTS to answer your question - in your own words.
Here are some stages in the Information Process that will help you develop your research skills. Use them each time you do an assignment.
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Defining
What does the question mean?
What to I already know?
What do I need to find out? -
Locating
What sort of information do I need?
Where could I go to find out this information?
Which resources are most suitable for the topic? -
Selecting
Which information is relevant to my topic?
How reliable is the information source?
Is the information current?
Is there any evidence of bias?
(This is why you need to use several sources) -
Organising
How can I best use this information?
Can I summarise the important aspects?
Can I organise my notes by indexing, selective highlighting, etc.? -
Presenting
How can I best present the information? (If choice is allowed)
Who is my audience?
How should I structure my answer?
What is/are my conclusions? -
Assessing
What did I learn from this project?
Have I achieved by aim/purpose?
How do my teachers/peers feel I have achieved my purpose
Have any new issues/questions emerged?
Adapted from: Information Skills in the School. Ryde; Department of Education, 1989
More details:
The Information Process Checklist www.asla.org.au/pubs/ws/accommat2.htm