Adlai E. Stevenson High School Library Serving the information and research needs of approximately 4000 students and 400 staff.

BIG SIX INFORMATION PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS

1. DEFINE THE TASK:

• What is the format? (written report, oral presentations, etc.)
  
• How long does it have to be?
  
• What pieces does it have to include? (Graphs, bibliography, map, interviews, etc.)
  
• What do I need to find out to complete this assignment? (What kind of information will help, ie, historical, current, facts, opinion, etc.?)
  

2. INFORMATION SEEKING STRATEGIES:

• What are the sources I can use? (See our Resources Checklist to help with this step.)
• Evaluate the different possible sources to determine priorities.(It's a good idea to make a plan of what you want to search and brainstorm some search terms you will want to use. See our search record if you would like a work form to use.)
  

3. LOCATION AND ACCESS:

• Where will I go to find my sources? (school or public library, museum, historical society, internet at home?, etc)
  
• Find the information within the sources.
  • Use your indexes and tables of contents if in books.
  • Use subject list or keyword searching when searching electronic databases.
  • Keep a search history by using the search record

  
  4. USE OF INFORMATION:

• Read, hear, view the information.
  
• Extract information from the source. (Take notes, photocopy, print out or download)
  

5. SYNTHESIS:

• Organize information from multiple sources into the required product.
  
• Present the information.
  

6. EVALUATION:

• Judge how effective the final product was. (Did I get the grade I wanted, why or why not? What could I have done differently, more information, more detail?)
  
• Judge the information problem-solving process. (Did I use my time well? Did I find the best resources? Did I ask for help when I needed it? Out of the 5 steps, which one did I do the best? Which one should I have done better?)
  

Send comments and requests for further information to libmaster@district125.k12.il.us