PLUS Information Search Process
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This document outlines a cyclical research process consisting of four stages: plan, locate, use, and self-evaluate. It describes key actions to take within each stage, such as brainstorming topics in the plan stage, evaluating sources in the locate stage, organizing notes and citations in the use stage, and reflecting on successes and areas for improvement in the self-evaluate stage. A key point is that the process is not linear, and the researcher may loop between stages multiple times to refine their work.
PLUS Information Search Process
- 1. PLAN LOCATE USE SELF-EVALUATE Note – this is a cyclical process, with the arrows going in both directions, not a linear one. Expect to move between all stages, and to return to a stage already considered. Plan - be prepared! P Make sure that you clearly understand the task. P Think about the theme or topic you have been given. P Brainstorm the things you already know before you begin. P Use a thesaurus to find synonyms and related terms to broaden your search P Broaden your knowledge – use encyclopedias (article outlines), the contents pages, index and glossary of reference books to gain a broader understanding of your area of research – the wider your knowledge base, the more effective will your questioning be. P Ask searching, open-ended questions about your topic. Add them to your brainstorm. P List the keywords you will use to research -‐ these will come from your questioning, your brainstorm, from your thinking and from your discussions with peers and experts. P Continue to add to your brainstorm until you have a good general understanding of your area of research. P Define and refine the thesis statement which will guide your research
- 2. Locate - find your information! L Always use a variety of resources – print, electronic, multimedia: books, magazines, newspapers, journals, databases, encyclopedias, videos, experts in the field. Use the Library! L Look for primary and secondary sources. L Make sure you understand what you are reading. L Evaluate all your sources -‐ Is the information reliable? Up to date? Biased? Who is the author? Is it relevant to your research? The same criteria should apply to a website as to a book. Use - make notes, organize and share! U Record, organize, analyze, synthesize your data. U Find information that will support your questions and clarify your brainstorming. U Make notes – summarize, paraphrase, write down actual quotations if you need them, record your thoughts and opinions. U Retain the details of each source you use for in-text citations, as well as a Works Cited page. U Decide how you are going to share the information you have found, the conclusions you have come to, the thoughts and ideas you have and the new knowledge you have created. U Work on your presentation. U Complete the Works Cited page, and check in-‐text citations. Self-evaluate - did I work well? Detailed and thoughtful reflection -‐ The aspects of the research that were successful; aspects of the research that needed more work; the action that resulted/will result Some questions to ask yourself: • Did I complete the task I was set? • Did I use a range of appropriate sources? • Did I use my own ideas? Or did I just copy from the sources I found? • Did I cite my sources properly and make a works cited page? • Did I ask for help when I needed to? • Could I have improved my work in any way? • How will I do a better piece of work next time? • What difference will my work make? What action will it lead to?