The Information Process – Checklist

Skills for accessing, evaluating and using information form part of the Information Process. Students are able to develop these skills each time they conduct an investigation or do a research assignment. While using this process students can achieve outcomes across all learning areas. The following checklist is a guide to becoming an information literate person.

1. Defining information needs

• What do I know about this topic?
• What do I need to find out? (Focus questions)
• What words would be good search terms? (Keywords)

2. Locating information

• Design a search strategy incorporating all available resources.
• Search the library catalogue, CD-ROMs, Internet, journals and other resources.
• Refine your search terms to make your search broader or narrower.

3. Selecting information

• Select information by skimming and scanning resources.
• Use indexes and tables of content.
• Evaluate information critically - be aware of bias, prejudice and inconsistencies.
• Does the source of information have authority?
• Make notes of relevant information in a notemaking framework addressing focus questions.
• Record author, title, URL, date etc.

4. Organising information

• Combine information from different sources.
• Look for gaps in the information collected. GO BACK TO 2 if necessary.
• Outline the plan for your final copy.

5. Creating and sharing information

• Prepare a draft copy and edit it.
• Complete final copy.
• Compile bibliography.

6. Evaluating the process and the product

• Evaluate the process you used to achieve your end product.
• Evaluate your assignment. Have you successfully addressed the research task?
• Your teachers and peers may also evaluate your process and product.