STEP 3: ACCESS INFORMATION
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"You have to drill through mud and water to get oil, you have to sift through sand and silt to get gold, you have to chop and hack through stone to get diamonds - so why do so many people feel that the treasure of ideas should come to them with little or no effort?" ~ Sydney J. Harris ~ |
EFFECTIVE SEARCHING
Once students have identified multiple sources, they have to find relevant information in the resources using effective search terms (keywords, concepts, descriptors or subject headings). However, choosing successful search terms is often difficult for students as the language they use to describe a topic may not be the same language as found in indexes or that used by authors. Furthermore, terms that "match" in one source, may not be the same terms used in another source to describe the same topic. It is important therefore that students be taught a process for determining search terms so that they may plan search strategies beforehand. A search strategy allows students to do a more comprehensive search and determine quickly whether or not the resources available will supply them with adequate information on their topic. If students are unable to find resources for their topic, they should review the process for developing search terms and possibly choose different search terms, perhaps expanding or narrowing them.
Students should also be able to utilize other strategies to find information, e.g. conduct primary research using observations, interviews, letters, surveys or questionnaires. Using internal organizers is also a valuable information media skill to be acquired by students.
SEARCHING THE INTERNET
The sheer amount of information available on any given topic when using the Internet can be overwhelming. Students need to understand how search engines operate, how to judge the efficiency of any particular search engine, as well as know how to use the more effective ones. Once they have mastered the basic art of using search engines, they could progress to more advanced searches on the Internet, e.g. by learning how to utilize boolean connectors (and, or, not).
STRATEGIES AND TECHNIQUES
There are many tutorials available for students and teachers on how to effectively search for information using electronic catalogs, online dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc., as well as the Internet. However, teachers should ensure that specific tutorials are age - and/or skill appropriate before recommending them to students.
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