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USING THE BIG 6 TM PROCESS FOR WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER

EISENBERG & BERKOWITZS BIG 6^TM SKILLS

RESEARCH / CRITICAL THINKING / PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGIES

THE 6 STEPS ARE:

Define the task. Determine a purpose and need for information.
- What are you supposed to do? What is your task?
- What question or questions do you want answered?
- What problem needs to be solved?
- What do you want to know?
- What do you need to find out?
Without clarifying your objective, it is difficult to know where to get answers and difficult to recognize what information is necessary when you do find it.

Talking with others helps to clarify your ideas.

Brainstorm with a group. Reflect on your own prior knowledge. Discuss the topic with others inside and outside your group. Come back together and brainstorm again.
Identify all the places you can go to get information that will help you complete your task.
- Where might you find the answers to your questions?
- In a book or magazine? Online? In a video? Interview an expert?
Prioritize the list you make. Decide which sources might best fit your task and go to those first.
Locate and access your information.
Go get the information that answers your questions.

If you cannot find relevant information, you may have to go back to Step 1 and redefine the task.
Use the information properly
- Take notes.
- Credit your sources. (prepare a bibliography).
- Evaluate the usefulness of the information gathered.
- Does the information answer your questions?
- Is the source a reliable one?
- Is the information current or out of date?
- Is the information new or is it the same information stated in a different way?
Synthesize the information you get.
- Make the information make sense to you:
- Put information into your own words.
- Compare the information with what you already know.
- Contrast the information with what you already know.
- Is the information too technical for your task?
- Can you categorize it with other useful information?
- What conclusions can you draw?
- How will you share your findings with others?
  - In a written report?
  - In a slide presentation?
  - In an art project?
  - In a website?
  - In a skit or play or home movie?
  - In a panel discussion?
  - In a demonstration?
  The possibilities are endless.
Evaluate your work.
- Evaluate not only how well you completed the task, but also, how well you followed the Big 6 steps.
- Did you complete the task?
- Did you get the answers you were looking for?
- Did you use your time efficiently?
- HOW WOULD YOU DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY NEXT TIME?