Transcript Stages of the Information Search Process

Stages of the Information Search Process
Stages of
Information
Search
Process
Initiation
Selection
Exploration
Formulation
Collection
Presentation
Assessment
Task
introduced
You
choose
your area
of interest
You seek a
broad
understanding
of the topic.
You
develop
your line
of enquiry
You collect in
depth
information
and take notes
You synthesise
your
information and
plan your
report/essay/
presentation/
Teacher/peer/
self.
Optimism
Confusion
Frustration
Doubt
THE DIP!
Sense of
direction /
Confidence
Satisfaction or
Disappointment
Sense of
accomplishment
Vague
Confused
Feelings
(Affective)
Uncertainty
Thoughts
(Cognitive)
Vague
Actions
(Physical)
Seeking
relevant
information
Exploring
Clarity
Focused
Seeking
Increased
interest
pertinent
Documenting
© Information Search Process is copyrighted by Dr. C. Kuhlthau.
Lee FitzGerald, Loreto Kirribilli, November 18th, 2010
Increased
interest
information
Increased selfawareness
The Research River
 Starting a research task, you are at the
beginning of a journey.
 This is a journey that you’ll repeat many
times in your life at school and work.
 It’s not a simple journey, and may be
likened to the progress a river makes from
its source to the sea.
Lee FitzGerald, Loreto Kirribilli, November 18th, 2010
The research river: Initiation
Research can be
likened to a river’s
progress. At its
source, the river’s
flow is weak and
undirected.
In the Initiation stage
of an assignment
you may feel lost
and uncertain as to
the path you might
take.
Lee FitzGerald, Loreto Kirribilli, November 18th, 2010
The research river: Selection
This is a peaceful and
happy part of the
research river.
You browse some shallows
and get surface
information on a few
topics to help you
choose the one you like.
www.flickr.com
Lee FitzGerald, Loreto Kirribilli, November 18th, 2010
Use preliminary
searching: Broad, not
deep - Encyclopedias
The research river: Exploration
As water is added to the
river, it carves a channel for
itself and soon forms a
series of rapids.
You’ve chosen your area of
interest, but as you seek
information, you find there’s
quite a lot of it!
Use Exploratory searching.
Wide, not deep! Topic
overviews in online
databases, books, Google.
You are trying establish
the scope of the topic.
Lee FitzGerald, Loreto Kirribilli, November 18th, 2010
The research river: Exploration
You may even plunge
headfirst over a
waterfall - unsure of
what lies below it –
THE DIP!
At this stage of the research
process it is completely
normal to fall into the
dip – to feel overloaded,
and confused!
It is definitely here where you
should seek
teacher/librarian help!
Contained, directed searching
is necessary to come
out of the Dreaded Dip!
Lee FitzGerald, Loreto Kirribilli, November 18th, 2010
The research river: Formulation
It is only after you’ve
researched widely, navigated
the flood of information that
you feel strong and confident.
In the process, some of the
water is left behind, as you
work through the process of
formulating your enquiry
question.
After this sifting process, you
are streaming ahead to the
sea. You feel confident and
focused now.
Lee FitzGerald, Loreto Kirribilli, November 18th, 2010
The research river: Collection
• The flow of the river has
been controlled.
• You are now in charge of
the information
• You are sorting it,
controlling it, shaping it to
answer your question.
• Use Comprehensive
Searching: Pertinent not
just relevant – Questia/
Online databases.
• Use and adjust notetaking
grids.
• Keep quotes for your essay.
• Keep bibliographic details.
Lee FitzGerald, Loreto Kirribilli, November 18th, 2010
The research river: Presentation
Finally, as you approach
your destination, you may be
faced with choices (What
exactly is the shape of my
essay? How can I shape all
my information into an
argument?) Which way will
your research river flow to
the sea?
Summary searching: Go
back and check you’ve
covered all angles.
Do I really have to do a
bibliography? Footnotes? Intext citation?
Lee FitzGerald, Loreto Kirribilli, November 18th, 2010
The Research river: Assessment
• You’ve conquered the
raging Information
River! You have
reached the calm sea,
peaceful and happy
with yourself.
• Or maybe there’s a
little hole back in that
old dam you might
need to fix next time…

www.flickr.com
Thanks for the River analogy, Di Laycock, Barker College!
Lee FitzGerald, Loreto Kirribilli, November
18th, 2010