Research Success in the 21st Century

Ms. Leora SeniorTeacher Librarian

Our Goal: Information Fluency

“Information fluency involves learning an unconscious process, allows information seekers to ask good questions, access a wide range of resources, analyze and authenticate data and turn it into knowledge, then apply that knowledge within the context of real-time, real-life experience. (Tarica, 2006, p. 2)”

Tarica, E. (2006). Schools failing dotcom kids. The age. Retrieved by Alanna Graboyes on July 29, 2006, from http://www.theage.com. au/news/education-news/schoolsfailing-dotcom-kids/2006/07/01/115 1174437537.html

We begin the process of becoming information fluent by learning and executing the steps of the research process.

 What do I already know or think I know about this topic?

What interests me about this topic or idea?

Step 1: CONNECT 

Step 2: WONDERWhat questions do I

have about this topic or idea?

What do I think I will find?

Step 3: INVESTIGATE

Where will I find the information I need?

What resources would give me the best information?

How do I know if the information I find is good information?

Step 4: CONSTRUCTWhat is the main idea of the information I have found?

Have I found enough information to answer my questions?

Step 5: EXPRESS

What kind of technology should I use to show people what I have learned?

How do I want to present what I’ve learned?

Step 6: REFLECT

How did my project go? Did I cover my topic thoroughly?

What will I do differently next time?

 

The Media Center’s Reference Section is a great place to start your Investigation…

1. General Encyclopedia

• Provides a basic summary of your topic. This increases your background knowledge on your topic.

• Remember to use the guide words at the top of each page to lead you through the alphabetical listing of topics.

2. Almanac• Topics covered include stats

from sporting events, science and technology innovations, quick facts and infographics on just about everything.

• Use the general index to easily locate the page number of your broad topic.

3. Specialized Encyclopedia

Specialized encyclopedias allow you to dig deeper into your topic with subject specific volumes. They cover everything from animals to women’s history.

CMS has several multivolume sets. Some are in alphabetical order and some are not, but each one has an index included for easily locating information.

4. Online Resources

Destiny has links on its home page to some of the most acccurate information available. Through WebPath Express you can access the world wide web and go straight to relevant sites without sifting through unnecessary hits. There is also a collection of databases called GALILEO. You can find journal articles, magazines, newspapers, and even dissertations.

Primary Documents

• Primary documents are journal entries, letters, official documents from the time period you are researching.

• They could also be photographs, artifacts, interviews and recordings.

• You will find access to many of histories most important artifacts at www.loc.gov

Secondary Sources

Remember: When using these types of sources, there will be an author for the individual articles in each of them. Cite!

Occupational Outlook Handbookhttp://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/home.htm

The Futures Channel

http://thefutureschannel.com/videogallery/project-engineer/

Writing your Bibliography

www.Citationmachine.netwww.galileo.usg.edu