The Inquiry Process 

1. Defining:                                                                                                

What do I need to know?

• What is my purpose?
• Why do I need to find this out?
• What are the key words and ideas of the task?
• What do I need to do?
  • Brainstorming/mind mapping techniques
  • Dialogue/discussion

2. Locating:

Where can I find the information?

• What do I already know?
• What do I still need to find out?
• What sources and equipment can I use?
  • Catalogue
  • Table of contents and indexes in a book.
  • General Internet and specialized search engines
  • Databases
  • Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Sources of Information

3. Selecting:

What information is relevant to my topic?

• What information can I leave out?
• How relevant is the information I have found?
• How credible is the information I have found?
• How will I record the information I need
  • Note-taking
  • Note-taking template - print

4. Organising:

How can I organise my information?

• Have I enough information for my purpose?
• Do I need to use all this information?
• How can I best combine information from different sources?
  • Quote
  • Paraphrase
  • Summary
  • Essay writing

5. Presenting:

What format is appropriate to use for my topic?

• What will I do with this information?
• With whom will I share this information?
  • Writing process
  • Graphic design (effects of color, font types, visual layout, etc.)
  • Images
  • Bibliography
  • HAVE I COMPLIED WITH THE MSC ASSESSMENT GUIDE?

6. Evaluating:

What can I improve?

• Did I fulfil my purpose?
• How did I go - with each step of the information process?
• How did I go - presenting the information?
• Where do I go from here?
  • Teacher feedback, peer review, self-reflection.
  • Design tools for self-assessment.
  • Consider questions for further research.

Reference:
State of New South Wales through the Department of Education and Training, 2007. All rights reserved. Republished online 2007.