The+Research+Process

** Assignment Organizer* **

**Step 1**
 * Task Definition:**
 * Define the assignment/task/project
 * Identify the information needed


 * Questions to Ask Yourself:**
 * What am I supposed to do?
 * What information do I need in order to do this?
 * List information that you feel you will need to know at this time.

**Step 2**
 * Information Seeking Strategies:**
 * Determine all possible sources (resources)
 * Select the best sources


 * Questions to Ask Yourself:**
 * What are possible sources of information?
 * Print (books, magazines, encyclopedias, reference books)
 * Online (** credible ** websites- see ** Advanced Google Search and Web Evaluation Checklist **)
 * Personal interviews
 * Podcasts, videos, etc.
 * Which are best?




 * __ Click Here __ ** ~ ** to view an Advanced Google Search tutorial **


 * Step 3 **
 * Locate and Access:**
 * Locate sources
 * Find information within sources


 * Questions to Ask Yourself:**
 * Where can I locate each source?
 * School library
 * Public library
 * Internet
 * Databases
 * Museums
 * Other:
 * Where is the information in each source located?
 * Table of Contents
 * Index


 * Step 4 **
 * Use of Information:**
 * Use a source to gain information
 * Extract relevant information


 * Questions to Ask Yourself:**
 * How can I best use each source?
 * What information in each source is useful?
 * How will I record the information that I find?
 * Take notes using notecards or ** electronic notecards **
 * Take notes on notebook paper or research noteboo k
 * Take notes using a computer **(Notetaking for Research)**
 * Use a tape recorder, video, or digital camera
 * Other:
 * How will I give credit to my sources?




 * Step 5 **
 * Synthesis:**
 * Organize multiple sources
 * Present the information


 * Questions to Ask Yourself:**
 * How can I organize all the information?
 * How can I present the result?
 * Written paper
 * Oral presentation - //**See**// Presentation Guidelines
 * Multimedia presentation
 * Performance
 * Other:
 * How will I give credit to my sources in my final product or performance?
 * Include a written bibliography - works cited page
 * Announce sources after performance
 * Other:
 * Materials I will need for my presentation of performance (make list)
 * How much time do I estimate it will take to find the information and create the product?
 * Timeline for assignment:
 * Ideas for project **(Step One: Task Definition)** completed by __(insert date)__
 * Information searching **(Step Four: Use of Information)** completed by (__insert date)__
 * First Draft due by __(insert date)__
 * Completed assignment due on __(insert date)__

**Step 6**
 * Evaluation:**
 * Judge the product (effectiveness)
 * Judge the process (efficiency)


 * Questions to Ask Yourself:**
 * Is the task/assignment/project completed?
 * Is the assignment appropriate for what you were asked to do?
 * Did you meet all the assignment requirements?
 * Did you cite your sources?
 * Did you follow **copyright laws** and fair use guidelines
 * Is your work presentable - neat and organized?
 * Would you be proud to show your work to everyone?
 * How can I do things better or improve my task/assignment/project?

**More Research Help**
 * Research Tips

***Sources**

For a complete and interactive online version of this document go to: @http://library.sasaustin.org/assignmentOrganizer.php
 * This information is copyrighted by St. Andrew's Episcopal School, Austin, TX, and was created by Barbara A. Jansen, Chair 1-12 Instructional Technology and Upper School Librarian.
 * Big6™ copyright 1990, Michael Eisenberg and Robert Berkowitz.
 * Big6™ Assignment Organizer copyright 1995, __Barbara A. Jansen __.