Before you begin your research remember to look at the Information Skills Process (below) for reminders on how to locate, evaluate and select your information. Teachers and Teacher Librarians are great ones to ask if you need help.

1. Defining information needs

• What do I know about this topic?
• What do I need to find out? (Focus questions)
• What words would be good search terms? (Keywords)

2. Locating information

• Design a search strategy incorporating all available resources.
• Search the library catalogue, CD-ROMs, Internet, journals and other resources.
• Refine your search terms to make your search broader or narrower.

3. Selecting information

• Select information by skimming and scanning resources.
• Use indexes and tables of content.
• Evaluate information critically - be aware of bias, prejudice and inconsistencies.
• Does the source of information have authority?
• Make notes of relevant information in a notemaking framework addressing focus questions.
• Record author, title, URL, date etc.

4. Organising information

• Combine information from different sources.
• Look for gaps in the information collected. GO BACK TO 2 if necessary.
• Outline the plan for your final copy.

5. Creating and sharing information

• Prepare a draft copy and edit it.
• Complete final copy.
• Compile bibliography.

6. Evaluating the process and the product

• Evaluate the process you used to achieve your end product.
• Evaluate your assignment. Have you successfully addressed the research task?
• Your teachers and peers may also evaluate your process and product.