STEP 4: ANALYZE INFORMATION
IDENTIFYING RELEVANT INFORMATION
While there are many reading and viewing strategies available to students, the key to reading with the intention to learn is knowing when to apply any particular reading strategy. Many such strategies, for example the PQ3R or SQ3R method, have a pre, during and post phase. Pre reading involves clarifying the purpose for reading and choosing a strategy. Then the reader applies and monitors the chosen strategy while reading. Finally, the reader reflects upon and responds to the reading.
ANALYZING RESOURCES
When exposed to new information, students have to be able to effectively analyze it, for example by distinguishing among bias, fact, opinion, propaganda and value judgments.
RECORDING INFORMATION
There are many methods for recording information, including traditional note-taking. When using electronic resources, it is very easy for students to plagiarize information. Consequently students should only take notes electronically once they are competent at taking them by hand on note cards and citing sources using footnotes and a bibliography.CHECKPOINT
At this point in the research process, students should take time to check whether the information they have collected meets their information needs and/or answers the question posed at the start of the assignment. This involves more than simply fulfilling the need for a specific number of sources - this is the time when they have to decide to return to their strategies for accessing information, adjust these strategies, locate additional information and/or reconsider their information.
Study Skills A well-designed and easy-to-understand tutorial for students of all ages on "How to Study". Covers topics that pertain to the research process too, including reading strategies and note-taking. |
