Australian School Library Association > Publications > The Information Process – Checklist

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.