The Inquiry and Research Process...
The Inquiry and Research Process discussed below is contained within the Ontario School Library Association's OSLA Information Studies: Kindergarten - Grade 12 publication, 1998.
The following is excerpted from the above document:
Inquiry and Research...
"Students need the fundamental skills and knowledge of inquiry and research to be information literate. Information literacy is a prerequisite for success in all subjects of the curriculum, for preparation for work and further education, and for lifelong learning."
"The purpose of inquiry and research is to encourage high levels of critical thinking so that processes and resources are appropriate, conclusions are based on supporting evidence and problems are solved and decisions made that will extend learning for a lifetime. "
"All subjects require attention to the expectations of this strand. However, research demonstrates that students benefit most when they engage in systematic study of the process of research and in varied, continuous and well-planned opportunities to extend their information skills."
"The resource-based learning programs offered by the integrating partnership between teacher and teacher-librarian ground research and information problem solving in a continuum of information skills and knowledge. This continuum can be described as the development of the metaskills of understanding of concepts/reasoning, organizing, communicating and applying through the process of preparing for research, accessing of information, processing of information and transferring learning."
Overall Expectations...
Students will:
- Stage 1, Preparing for research:
- define information needs using a variety of strategies
- explore information using a variety of group activities
- identify varied ways of organizing information
- relate prior knowledge to information tasks;
- Stage 2, Accessing resources:
- locate a variety of appropriate resources from a variety of sources
- select information appropriate to needs using a variety of strategies
- gather information from resources using internal organizers and conventions of texts
- collaborate with others to share findings and ideas;
- Stage 3, Processing information:
- analyze and evaluate information using a variety of strategies
- test ideas to adjust research and problem solving strategies
- sort information using a variety of organizers and formats
- synthesize findings and formulate conclusions;
- Stage 4, Transferring learning:
- revise product appropriate to purpose, audience and format
- present research findings in a variety of forms for a variety of audiences
- reflect on and evaluate product and process
- transfer new information skills and knowledge to solve problems and make decisions.
Research Process Helper Website...
This website will help you understand the research process, do your research, evaluate what you are doing, and provide support for getting the job done.
The website was created and is maintained by Sandra Hughes, Editor, Teaching Librarian, publication of the Ontario School Library Association.
Table of Contents: Research Steps; Research Map, Research Journal, Help?; and Find a topic.
The Research Process Helper by Sandra Hughes
http://www3.sympatico.ca/sandra.hughes/sandra.hughes/research/researchs.html
Strategy...
Step 1
- Are you likely to find it on the internet?
- Science resources are strong
- Social Science & Humanities are improving
- "Findable" topics include: government information company press releases, sales figures, product descriptions, travel and personal interests
- Not a good choice for historical information
Step 2
- Develop a plan of action to narrow what you're looking for BEFORE you begin looking.
- Consider the knowledge you already have and use it to build a precise set of search terms.
- If you know there are connections between certain topics--sleep apnea and crib death--decide to include or exclude those using Boolean logic structures.
Search...
Step 1
- Match your subject to the right search tool
- get the right tool
- Get to know the types and variety of search tools (search engines, subject directories, special interest tools, etc.)
- The tools search different databases and rank their information differently
- Read the instructions for the specific search tools
- Read the advanced search power options
Step 2
Focus!...
- Use Boolean operators to focus the search
Search engines don't necessary put the most relevant hits at the top of the list
Evaluation...
Step 1
- Know your sources
- Judge the credibility
- Just because it's on the Internet, doesn't mean it's valid
- Judge the reputability of the site and the author or creator
Step 2
Verify, Verify, Verify
- Printed material is usually fact-checked and check for libel as well as having a certain amount of editorial integrity
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