Pathways to Knowledge:  Follett’s Information Skills Model, Steps 1-6

Step 1: Appreciation                                                                                                                    

--Understand the assignment                                                                                                   

 --Select a possible topic                                                                                                    

--Connect to personal interests

Step 2: Pre-search                                                                             Establish my focus                       

  --Develop an Overview                                                                                                                

--Explore Relationships

Step 3: Search                                                                                     Plan and implement my search strategies 

--Identify possible Information Providers                                                                                

--Select Information Resources & Tools                                                                                    

--Seek Relevant Information

Step 4: Interpretation                                                                          Assess the usefulness of my information   

--Interpret Information                                                                         Reflect to develop my personal meanings

Step 5: Communication                                                                      Construct and present my new knowledge   

--Apply Information                                                                                                            

--Share New Knowledge

Step 6: Evaluation                                                                                 Reflect on my process                          

--Evaluate my information skills                                                          Assess my final product                        

--Evaluate the process                                                                                                        

--Evaluate the product

 

APPRECIATION – STEP ONE

When you begin a research paper, it is important to understand the assignment clearly. It is important to explore topics and choose a topic that you are curious about. Talk to your teacher or the librarian about a topic you’re thinking about. Talk to friends. Interview family members.

PRE-SEARCH -- STEP TWO

In this state of the research process, you should begin to develop an overview of your topic. Do this by brainstorming things you know already about the topic. Then write down some initial questions you have about things you don’t know. As you go, identify and jot down key words on your topic. These keywords will help you find additional information. Explore some general sources, such as encyclopedias. Build your background information on your topic.

Also in the pre-search stage you should begin to explore the relationships among ideas that you are brainstorming or gathering. Start defining your central question that will guide your research. Make a simple outline. Cluster ideas together. Do some webbing to show the relationships among your ideas. Do some listing. All these activities will help you to narrow or broaden your topic – to focus on exactly what your topic will be and the essential question you will ask.

SEARCH -- STEP THREE

This is a busy step in the research process. Begin by identifying where you will get your information. Museums? Historical sites? The SHS Library? Public libraries? College libraries? Government agencies? Then select information resources that will help you: Books, encyclopedias, reference books, magazines, newspapers, pamphlets, the Internet, online databases, videos, TV, CD-ROMs, DVDs, people, the librarian.

Now, armed with your list of keywords, begin searching (begin seeking relevant information).

Here are some alternative phrases for "searching:"                                                                            

1) Exploring – looking, surfing, hyperlinking with a general topic;                                                       

2) Browsing – examining a linear list or index by topic;                                                                       

3) Hierarchical searching – examining a topic from a broad concept to a specific one;                               

4) Analytical searching – searching electronically using Boolean search strategies, etc.

As you search, you will be using the following skills:                                                                        

1) Skimming and scanning techniques for reading;                                                                            

2) Questioning techniques;                                                                                                            

3) Interviewing techniques;                                                                                                           

4) Notetaking, summarizing, paraphrasing; quoting;                                                                            

5) Validating information;                                                                                                            

6) Evaluating sources;                                                                                                                

7) Determining relevancy (fact or fiction, accuracy, currency, primary vs. secondary sources).

Remember to keep a working bibliography of the books, magazines, and other resources that you use.

Always reflect on your research process – on your research progress. How are things going? Are you finding enough information? Too much information? Discuss your progress with your teacher or librarian.

 

INTERPRETION – STEP FOUR

During this phase of your research process you are dealing with the information that you have gathered. Here you will begin to organize your thoughts and your information. You will begin to determine themes and patterns and trends. You will integrate concepts, compare/contrast, make inferences, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, classify, filter points of view, judge bias, determine relevancy, make conclusions.

During this step you must practice the responsible and ethical use of information.                            

Credit the author when you use his/her exact words = a direct quote.                                              

Credit the source when you present statistics.

 

COMMUNICATION – STEP FIVE

In step five you will write, draft, edit, and revise.                                                                          

You will present your information in a well written, well organized research paper.

 

EVALUATION – STEP SIX

Evaluation, the sixth step, happens at the end of your process when you evaluate your final product.

However, it should also happen each step of the way through the process. You should be evaluating your sources, evaluating your search strategies, evaluating your progress and use of time, assessing your strengths and weaknesses, determining when you need help, etc.

 

 

USE THE FOLLOWING RUBRICS OR CHECK LISTS TO HELP GUIDE YOU THROUGH THIS RESEARCH PAPER ASSIGNMENT.