An outline of the PLUS research process to scaffold a Grade 6 research assignment.

1. PLUS
INFORMATION SEARCH PROCESS

2. PLUS - RESEARCH CYCLE
• the research process goes in a cycle, in both
directions – it is not a step by step, linear process
• you may well find that you move frequently between
each stage, revisiting, revising and going deeper
• the most important stage for a successful outcome is
the P – preparation and planning – if you spend
sufficient time on this, the rest will be much easier
• always remember that citing your sources is vital –
keep track of them as you go

3. PLUS
Plan what you need to do, and when – use
your calendar to set target due dates.

4. PLAN AND PREPARE
(Thinking)
P
• What exactly is my topic about?
• What do I already know about this topic?
• What are the questions I want to ask about
this topic?
• What concepts am I investigating?

5. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO? P
• Brainstorm
This initial brainstorm is to record everything you know
already, and your thoughts and ideas, without judging
your thinking. Inspiration© works well. Work with a
friend, bounce ideas off each other …. Be excited!
• Broaden your knowledge base
Before you can start on meaningful research, you need to
have background information of a general nature - use
encyclopedias, books and dictionaries – read the
outlines, look at images, graphs and tables, read the
captions, get a general overview – talk to people.

6. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO
NEXT? P
• Brainstorm revision
Work on your initial brainstorm by grouping together
similar ideas and adding new information as you
broaden your knowledge base
• Define your area of investigation
Write a statement that shows clearly what you will
be researching

7. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO
NEXT? P
• Questions, questions, questions - This is the crucial
part of your planning.
• What are the questions I want to ask about this topic? What
concepts am I investigating?
• Write clear, creative and interesting questions that fit the
topic - break down complex questions into manageable parts

8. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO
NEXT? P
Formulating questions
Who? what? what if? where? why? when? which? how? so what?
Key concept questions:
Form - What is it like?
Function - How does it work?
Causation - Why is it like it is?
Change - How is it changing?
Connection - How is it connected to other things?
Perspective - What are the points of view?
Responsibility - What is our responsibility?
Reflection - How do we know?

9. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO? P
• Once you have a body of questions, make an outline of
the areas you will be researching. This will be the
framework of your investigation.
• Go back to the brainstorm, and develop a list of key
words and search terms that come from the questions.
• Use a thesaurus to find related terms, and broaden your
search
• You are now ready to start locating information, using
these key words.

10. LOCATE
(Finding)
L
Use a variety of information sources:
• print - books, magazines, newspapers
• online databases and encyclopedias
• videos
• primary and secondary sources
• internet (advanced searches on appropriate search engines)
• experts
• EVALUATE each source before using it
• Enter all the sources you use into your Works Cited
page(Noodle Tools)

11. LOCATE
(Finding) L
• Do you understand what you are reading?
• Is the information reliable? up to date?
biased?
• Is it relevant to your research?
• If not, revisit the P stage…….
• Enter all the sources you find into a
bibliography (Noodle Tools)

12. USE
(Producing) U
• gather the information that helps you understand your
defined topic
• make notes
• record fact fragments
• summarize, paraphrase, write down actual quotations
if you need them
• record your metacognition – thoughts, opinions,
questions, connections
• if necessary, revisit P and L
• retain all the details for your in-text citations, as well as
your bibliography

13. USE & SHARE
(Producing) U
Keeping in mind specific instructions you have
had, and the rubric you are working from
decide on the format of how you will share
your work.

14. SELF-EVALUATE & ACT
(Reflecting) S
Detailed and thoughtful reflection:
• the aspects of the inquiry that were successful
• aspects of the inquiry that needed more work
• the action that resulted/will result from this
inquiry.