Finding Information

Don’t be a mindless wanderer in the library!

Be a “go to” person who can find it without help!

STEP 1: TASK DEFINITION 1.1 Define the problem. 1.2 Identify the information needed.

Think about the topic you are going to research. What exactly do you want to know? Make a list of questions you want to answer.

STEP 2: INFORMATION SEEKING STRATEGIES

2.1 Determine all possible sources. 2.2 Select the best sources.

With your shoulder partner, make a list of all possible sources of information, like books, Internet, etc.

Who can come up with the most sources?

2.1 Determine all possible sources Book Reference book Atlas Dictionary Thesaurus Encyclopedia Almanac Handbook Yearbook Directory

Database Internet search Video Sound recording Magazine Journal Newspaper Map Travel guide Image

Reference Books Why are books put in

the reference section?

Why aren’t they like other books?

What is different about a reference book and the other books in the library?

Reference books Atlases Dictionaries Thesauri Encyclopedias Almanacs Handbooks Yearbooks Directories

Almanacs Book of facts for

previous year (2010 atlas covers the yea 2009)

Come out each year Are outdated quickly Often specialized

In our databases

Atlases Contain maps Also contain

information May be general May be specific

Dictionaries Abridged Unabridged Special languages Special subjects May be combined with

a thesaurus May be illustrated

Directories Sources used to

quickly look up small bits of information Phone books Lists of doctors, lawyers,

businesses, etc.

May be online

Encyclopedias Contain general

information Are used to begin

research but usually not to finish research

May be general, like World Book or Britannica

May be subject specific

May be online

Medical Encyclopedia

Handbook “How to” books Think a book you keep

at hand to do a job Sometimes called

manuals Frequently updated

Indexes May be the last book

in a set Helps find the volume

and page number of information you need

May help find things like poems, magazine articles, Bible verses

Thesauri Contain synonyms Arranged in different

ways May be combined with

dictionaries

Yearbook Contain information on

a subject that pertains to a certain year

STEP 3: LOCATION AND ACCESS

3.1 Locate sources. 3.2 Find information within sources.

Where in the library can we find it? Reference books—under

the window Atlases—in the atlas stand

by the magazines Dictionaries—in

Reference under the window

Thesauri —in Reference under the window

Encyclopedias—in Reference under the window

Almanacs--online Handbooks—in the stacks Yearbooks—in the stacks Directories--online

Finding Information within Sources

Use the Table of Contents Use the Index Use the directions of “how to” use the

source at the front of some books Skim and scan for information

4 R’s of Good Sources

RecentReadableReliableRelevant

STEP 4: Use of Information 4.1 Engage (read, hear, view, etc.). 4.2 Extract relevant information.

Engage—Don’t Copy and Paste When you turn in school assignments, you are

supposed to use your own words. Copying and Pasting may be a good way to

gather information, but you may turn it in that way. You must engage with the information.

Read it Ask questions as you read Think about it Read and look away and see if you can recall the

information.

Extract information You may find a lot of information that is

interesting, but don’t spend time on things that are not related to your assignment.

Gather the facts you need. Ignore the things you don’t need. Don’t include irrelevant material in your final product.