Scientific Creative Writing Project

Ms. Childers

May 2007

The Big6 Research Process

#1 Task Definition #2 Information Seeking Strategies #3 Location & Access #4 Use of Information #5 Synthesis #6 Evaluation

The Big6 Research Process

#1 Task Definition What movie should I see this weekend?

#2 Information Seeking Strategies See what is playing, read review, talk to friends,

#3 Location & Access Newspaper, Theatre websites, movie review sites

#4 Use of Information Compare movies that I find

#5 Synthesis Choose movie & go

#6 Evaluation What worked (reviews, friends suggestions) & Did I like the

movie

#1 Task DefinitionDefine the ProblemIdentify the information Needed

What is my task? Write a short story based on a element of science

What is my focus question or thesis statement? What element of science will I research?

What do I want to know? 1. These items may change after initial research 2. 3. 4. 5.

#2 Information Seeking StrategiesWhat are possible PRINT sources?Which sources are best for my project?

Almanac Atlas Background Notes CultureGrams Encyclopedia: Print Magazines: Print Non-Fiction #__________ Biography: 921, 920 Other?

#2 Information Seeking StrategiesWhat are possible ELECTRONIC sources?Which ones are best for my project?

Encyclopedia: WorldBook Online EBSCO

Index to Magazines, Newspapers, Journals, Reference Infotrac

Discovering Collection: Literature, History, Biographies, Science, Social Studies, Authors, Cultures, More

Opposing Viewpoints Science Facts on File Web Sites – Library web site Books

(GJHS Library Home Page)

#2 Information Seeking StrategiesWebsites

Use Library Home pageUse evaluation formBe very, very careful

The Nature of Web Information

1. Anyone can publish "information.“

2. There is no complete list of web sites.

3. There are no official organizers, catalogers, or evaluators.

4. Sites constantly change; new sites are constantly created; and sites often disappear.

5. Finally, there are no standards for web search tools.

Authority & Credibility

Who wrote, created or published the information?

Can you clearly identify the credentials of the creator? If yes, list credentials. Is contact info for the creator provided? (mail, phone, etc?)

Can the information be verified?

Whose web site is this?

Organization sponsoring?

Domain name… dot what? (edu, com, org, etc.)

Authority & Credibility Who wrote, created or published the

information? Can you clearly identify the credentials of the

creator? If yes, list credentials. Is contact info for the creator provided? (mail,

phone, etc?) Can the information be verified? Whose web site is this? Organization

sponsoring? Domain name… dot what? (edu, com, org, etc.)

Bias / Purpose

Is the information intended to inform, explain, sell, promote, parody or persuade?

Can you distinguish facts from opinion? Is the info objective, or is there bias in the

presented info? Hidden message or omitted information?

Who is the target audience? Is the site personal, commercial, government or

organization site?

Content

How well does the information cover the topic? Is the source comprehensive, brief, or unique? Is the material presented as original or secondary? What level is the presentation? (elementary, HS, college, +) Does the author support the information he or she uses?

Works cited? Is the support respectable? Credible?  Could you get better information from a book or

encyclopedia? Currency: can you tell the date created? Publication date?

Last revised?

Design / Usability

Is the site easy to navigate? (User-friendly?)

Is there a well-labeled contents area?Do all the design elements enhance the

message? Design consistency?Spelling or grammar errors?Do the pages appear clean, uncluttered?Are the links current or do they not work?

#3 Location and AccessLocate sources and find information within sources

Access requirements? Username, password, AUA

Use Index, Table of Contents, etc.Alternative KeywordsSynonymsTruncationUnique words – use quotesList your keywordsFind resources that we checked in #2

#4 Use the Information

Data Table: List columns from #1Record Citation InformationResearch Notes:

Skimming/Scanning Use index & table of contents

Extract Information: Summerize, paraphrase, use bullets Rule of Five Copy & paste persistent links Working Works Cited Page

Works Cited or BibliographyGive credit to the sources you used

Edwards, I.E.S. “Mummy.” Academic American Encyclopedia. 1993 ed.

Putnam, James. Mummy. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1994.

Unwrap the Mummy. The Learning Channel. January 15,2002. <http://www. discovery. com/highspeed/tlc/ mummies>

Synthesis Organize information from multiple sources. Present the final product.

Final products: Brainstorm / Story Outline Keywords (#3) 1 page Science Overview Story Works Cited Peer reviews #:__________

EvaluationJudge the Results: Process and Product

How will I know I have done my best?Does my project include the elements of

science (#1)? Yes NoCheck rubric – Met criteria? Yes NoBig6 Organizer completely filled out?

Yes No How could I improve next time?