The Big6 is an information-seeking model comprised of six steps to help you organize your research project:
1. Task Definition
1.1 Define the information problem.
1.2 Identify information needed.
2. Information Seeking Strategies
2.1 Determine all possible sources.
2.2
Select the best sources.
3. Location and Access
3.1 Locate sources (intellectually and physically).
3.2 Find information within sources.
4. Use of Information
4.1 Engage (e.g., read, hear, view, touch).
4.2
Extract relevant information.
5. Synthesis
5.1 Organize from multiple sources.
5.2
Present the information.
6. Evaluation
6.1 Judge the product (effectiveness).
6.2
Judge the process (efficiency).
The “Big6” is a copyright (1987) of Michael B. Eisenberg and Robert E. Berkowitz. For more information, visit: http://www.big6.com
Using the Big6 to find General Information
By
employing this six-step model, the librarians feel that you can be
successful in organizing research projects in a systematic way that can
be used for all subjects, disciplines, and any inquiry-based tasks.
The Big6 can even be used to find that movie you wish to see. Here’s how it works.
1.Task Definition:
What do you want to do?
Find a Saturday evening showing of the latest Johnny Depp film in a theater closest to BFS.
2. Information Seeking Strategies:
What resources can we use to accomplish this task?
Newspapers: New York Times, The Brooklyn Paper
Internet: http://www.moviephone.com
Telephone: 1-800-movietimes
Friends: Ask someone you know who saw the movie
Which is the best source to use? Which is the most accurate?
Let us choose the current issue of the New York Times.
3. Location and Access:
Where can I find a copy of the New York Times?
Check the MS/US Library at BFS.
How do I find the information inside the newspaper?
Use the newspaper’s index, or check the “Entertainment” section.
4. Use of Information
How do I use the information I have found?
Write down the name and address of the theater.
Write down the showing times of the movie.
Go the appropriate theater and purchase tickets
5. Synthesis:
Go to the movies!
6. Evaluation:
Did you find the correct movie in a theater near BFS?
If not, what could you have done differently?
Using the Big6 for a School Research Project
1. Task Definition:
What has my teacher assigned?
How do I want to approach this assignment?
Do I have choices within this assignment?
What exactly do I have to find out?
2. Information Seeking Strategies
What are the resources that will help me to find out what I need to know?
Reference books
Non-fiction books
Databases (selected newspaper and journal articles)
Video or audio sources
Web sites
Museums
Living experts
Which are the best ones for my project?
Who can help me find out?
Make certain to use a variety of sources.
Now that I know what kind of resources I need to use, how do I find them?
How do I use them?
HINT: Your librarians can help you with this!
The skills you will need include:
Finding materials in a library
Finding information within these materials
Formulating specific searches in databases Evaluating web sites
Using search engines
Finding local sources of primary documents, i.e., museums, specialized collections or libraries outside of BFS
4. Use of Information
Read, view, listen to, and examine, your selected resources until you gather the information you need.
One
piece of information may lead you to another; just as one thought may send you in a different direction. This is part of the research
process.
Record information in a way that is most productive to you:
Take notes via a computer word document.
Write on note cards with a pen or pencil.
Record information using a video or audio system.
Your teacher may request a particular format for this step. Follow your teacher’s directions.
5. Synthesize:
This is the step where it all comes together.
Gather up all your relevant information from diverse sources and combine them in a coherent presentation.
This
may take the form of a written paper, an oral discourse, or an
audio-visual presentation. This format will most likely be dictated or
pre-approved by your teacher.
6. Evaluation:
Am I happy with the end product?
Did I learn what I set out to learn?
Did I accomplish what I wanted to do?
Did my teacher approve of my work?
Did I meet the requirements of the assignment?
Could I have done a better job?
Did I use the most efficient means to accomplish what I needed to do?
Would I do it differently next time? How so?