The document outlines the six steps of the Big6 research method. The Big6 process includes 1) defining the research task, 2) strategies for seeking information, 3) locating and accessing sources, 4) engaging with and extracting information from sources, 5) organizing and presenting findings, and 6) evaluating the research process and results. The Big6 method provides a framework to guide researchers in comprehensively searching for and synthesizing information to complete research assignments.

1. Researching
Using the Big6™ Method
Overview of the Process

2. What is Big6™?
 A process for good
research methods
 A guide to keep you
on track
 Useful for your
entire life
The process is more
important than the
product! It’s a skill
you can use forever!

3. Step 1: Task Definition
 What did your
teacher ask you to
find?
 What kind of
information are you
looking for?
 What kind of final
project are you
supposed to
present?
Think before
you act!

4. Step 2: Information Seeking
Strategies
 What are all the
possible places
you could find
the information
you need?
 What would be
the best
sources? Pay
attention!

5. Possible Sources
 Books
 Magazines
 Newspapers
 Databases
 Internet
 Images
 Videos
 Recordings
 Multimedia projects
Which sources are best
to use for this
assignment?
“Let’s just
Google it.
Everybody
Googles.”
Are you smart enough not to follow the crowd?

6. Destiny Resources
 You can find books, Public Lists, and Online Resources.
 Look in the Resource Lists, check the tab that says
Public Lists, and see the tabs that say Library Materials
(books only) and Online Resources (websites that Ms.
Ballard gathered for your assignment).

7. Step 3: Location and Access
 You can’t be lazy!
You have to get up
and go get it!
 Go find the sources
of information
 Look inside the
sources for the
information using
search strategies
Are you
going to get
up and go
get dinner?
No
way.
You go!

8. Don’t forget to look…
 In the Table of Contents of a
book
 In the index
 In the other extras that a
book may offer (Read the
“how to use this book”
section.)
 Many new books also list
websites to continue your
learning. Check the end
pages of the books to see if
you get lucky!

9. Also, ask the librarian!
 She can gather
sources in advance
when the teacher
has given her notice!
 She can find
information quickly
and show you how
also!

10. Step 4: Use of Information
 Engage
 Means read,
hear, watch,
understand
 Extract
 Means take out
the information
you need from
the sources you
gathered
Don’t just swallow it
whole! Break it into
small bites!

11. Step 5: Synthesis
 Organize
 Means putting
your information
in a useful order
 Present
 Will you write a
report, give an
oral
presentation,
make a visual
aid, use a
PowerPoint
presentation?
Make it showy!

12. Step 6: Evaluation
 Judge the
Result
 How good was your
project?
 Judge the
Process
 What did you learn from
going through these
steps?
Stick to the plan, be
patient, do the work,
and you get your
reward!

13. Sources for Big6™ included The Definitive Big6™ Workshop
Handbook by Michael B. Eisenberg and Robert E. Berkowitz
by Charlotte Ballard, Librarian