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Davis Library: Inquiry Projects

Big 6+ Inquiry Process

Task Definition

  • Asks, Creates, and Refines Questions for Inquiry
  • Determines Path for Inquiry
  • Identifies Intended Audience
  • Understands Rubric Expectations and Product Components

Information Seeking/Location and Access

  • Understands the Organization of the Library
  • Identifies Possible Sources of Information
  • Seeks Information from Diverse Genres, Formats, and Points of View
  • Uses Information Seeking Strategies to Locate Information within a Variety of Sources
  • Evaluates Sources of Information

Use of Information

  • Makes Sense of Information by Clarifying Main and Supporting Ideas
  • Looks for Patterns and Connects Ideas Across Resources
  • Organizes Information by Using a Variety of Tools & Strategies
  • Uses Information Ethically

Synthesis and Sharing

  • Compares New ideas to Prior Knowledge and Draws Conclusions by Integrating New Ideas with Prior Knowledge
  • Creates Product to Express New Learning and Chooses Presentation Format Based on Requirements, Audience, and Personal Strengths

Self-Evaluation

  • Reflects on the Inquiry Process

Evaluating Sources

Does your source pass the CRAAP Test?

Use the following list to help you evaluate sources. Answer the questions as appropriate, and then rank each of the 5 parts from 1 to 10 (1 = unreliable, 10 = excellent). Add up the scores to determine if you have a quality resource.

Currency: the timeliness of the information

  • When was the information published or posted?
  • Has the information been revised or updated?
  • Is the information current or out-of-date for your topic?
  • Are the links functional?

Relevance: the importance of the information for your needs

  • Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
  • Is the information at an appropriate level?
  • Would you be comfortable using this source for a research paper?

Authority: the source of the information

  • Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
  • What are the author’s credentials or qualifications to write on the topic?
  • Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address?
  • Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?

Accuracy: the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content

  • Is the information supported by evidence?
  • Can you verify any of the information in another source?
  • Does the language or tone seem biased and free of emotion?
  • Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors?

Purpose: the reason the information exists

  • What is the purpose of the information?
  • Is the information fact or opinion?
  • Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?

45-50 Excellent | 40-44 Good

35-39 Average | 30-34 Borderline Acceptable

Below 30 - Unacceptable

Primary vs. Secondary Sources

Noodle Tools

Noodletools provides a format for creating research papers.  It provides an area for notetaking, citation creation, and paper formation.

Guides for using Noodle Tools

This 20 minute video gives an overview on how to use NoodleTools.

This video shows how to create a new project.

This video shows how to check the format of your citation.

This video shows how to add a preformatted citation from a database or website.

Omaha Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, citizenship status, or economic status in its programs, activities and employment and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual has been designated to address inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Superintendent of Schools, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131 (531-299-9822).

Las Escuelas Públicas de Omaha no discriminan basados en la raza, color, origen nacional, religión, sexo, estado civil, orientación sexual, discapacidad , edad, información genética, estado de ciudadanía, o estado económico, en sus programas, actividades y empleo, y provee acceso equitativo a los “Boy Scouts” y a otros grupos juveniles designados. La siguiente persona ha sido designada para atender estas inquietudes referentes a las pólizas de no discriminación: El Superintendente de las Escuelas, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131 (531-299-9822).