STEP FOUR: USE OF INFORMATION
	Once information sources are located, students need to examine the sources to determine their appropriateness and relevance to the research questions. Once a decision has been made to use a source, complete information about the source needs to be recorded for the bibliography section of the paper. At this stage, students need to be able to: Scan, skim, read, hear, and view appropriate resources Learn to carefully evaluate all sources, especially online sources that have been located by an Internet search tool Extract information: take notes, photocopy/highlight, scan, or download and save Record all of the information needed to identify and give credit to information sources that will be recorded in the bibliography STRATEGIES When reading, pay attention to chapter headings, sub-headings and words in bold print. Take note of charts, diagrams, maps, or other visual elements that you may want to record. If the currency of your information is important, pay attention to copyright dates, and note how recently online sources have been updated. Understand that virtually anyone can post information online. All Web sites need to be evaluated carefully before being considered for use. (Click here for Evaluating Web Sites). Determine if a specific method of note-taking is required by your teacher. Some will require index cards, others will require a specific outline method such as the Harvard Outline. Unless one method is specifically required, Upper Grade students are encouraged to choose the note-taking method that works best for them. Students in 4th-6th Grade should use a writer’s manual, such as Writer’s Express (Write Source, 1994) written and compiled by Kemper, Nathan, and Sebranek. Avoid Plagiarism! Write down all information needed to identify the information sources used. Click here for a Bibliography Form for Grades 4-6.