The Big 6 is a six-stage model for solving problems and making decisions using information literacy. The six stages are: 1) task definition, 2) information seeking strategies, 3) location and access, 4) use of information, 5) synthesis, and 6) evaluation. The model was developed in 2000 to help people identify their research goals, find relevant information from authoritative sources, organize and present what they find, and reflect on the effectiveness of the process and results.

1. INFORMATION LITERACY
The Big 6 – a six stage model to help anyone solve
problems or make decisions using information
literacy.

2. WHAT IS THE BIG 6?
 Developed by Michael Eisenberg and David
Berkowitz in 2000, Big6 is a six-stage model to help
anyone solve problems or make decisions by using
available information.
 Using the Big6 process, you will identify your
problems or research goals, seek, use, and put
together relevant, authoritative information, then
reflect and evaluate whether the final product is
effective and was my process efficient.

3. TASK DEFINITION
 Define the problem
 Identify the information needed
Where do I find the information?
What is my task?
What am I supposed to do?

4. INFORMATION SEEKING STRATEGIES
 Determine all possible sources
 Select the best sources
What are all the possible sources?
What is the best source in this particular situation?
What is the best source in this particular context?

5. LOCATION & ACCESS
 Locate sources
 Find information within sources
Locating the information source
Accessing the information within the source

6. USE OF INFORMATION
 Engage (read, hear, view)
 Extract relevant information
Using and engaging the information
Pulling out what’s relevant from the information

7. SYNTHESIS
 Organise information from multiple sources
 Present information
How are we going to organise the present the information?

8. EVALUATION
 Judge the result (effectiveness)
 Judge the process (efficiency)
Evaluating the product
Evaluating the process