1. The Information Search Process
Starting the research task, you are at the
beginning of a journey.
This is a journey that you’ll repeat many times in
your life at school and work.
It’s not a simple journey, and may be likened to
the progress a river makes from its source to the
sea.

2. Information Search Process
Carol Kuhlthau began her investigation on how students research
20 years ago
She found out that they did things on at least three levels – thinking,
feeling and acting - and that doing research particularly involves
strong feelings.
Kuhlthau has since done many studies and found people all their
lives all go through the same process and tasks and feelings while
they are searching for and dealing with new information.
It may help you to know that the rollercoaster of feelings you
experience as you do an assignment is completely normal.
Everyone feels the same!

3. Introducing the Information Search
Process
Stages of Initiation Selection Exploration Formulation Collection Presentation Assessment
Information
Search Task You You seek a You develop You collect in You synthesise Teacher/peer/
Process introduced choose broad your line of depth your information self.
your area understanding enquiry and information and plan essay
of interest of the topic. area of and take
debate notes
Feelings Uncertainty Optimism Confusion Clarity Sense of Satisfaction or Sense of
(Affective) Frustration direction / Disappointment accomplishment
Doubt Confidence
THE DIP!
Thoughts Vague Vague Confused Focused Increased Increased Increased self-
(Cognitive) interest interest awareness
Actions Seeking relevant information Seeking pertinent information
(Physical)
Exploring Documenting

4. The research river: Initiation
Research can be
likened to a river’s
progress. At its
source, the river’s
flow is weak and
undirected.
In the Initiation stage
of an assignment
you may feel lost
and uncertain as to
the path you might
take.

5. The research river: Selection
This is a peaceful and
happy part of the
research river.
You browse some
shallows and get
surface information on
a few topics to help you
choose the one you
like.

6. The research river: Exploration
As water is added to
the river, it carves a
channel for itself and
soon forms a series
of rapids.
You’ve chosen your
area of interest, but
as you seek
information, you find
there’s quite a lot of it!

7. The research river: Exploration
You may even plunge
headfirst over a
waterfall - unsure of
what lies below it –
THE DIP!
At this stage of the research
process it is normal to
fall into the dip – to feel
overloaded, and
confused!
Especially when you don’t
particularly care about
the assignment
question!

8. The research river: Formulation
It is only after you’ve
researched widely,
navigated the flood of
information that you feel
strong and confident.
In the process, some of the
water is left behind.
You are happy with your
enquiry question and you
are streaming ahead to the
sea. You feel confident and
focused now.

9. The research river: Collection
The flow of the river has
been controlled.
You are now in charge of
the information.
You are sorting it,
controlling it, shaping
it to answer your
question.

10. The research river: Presentation
Finally, as you
approach your
destination, you may be
faced with choices
(What exactly is the
shape of my essay?)…
Which path will you
take?

11. The Research river: Assessment
• You’ve conquered
the raging river! You
are basking in a
calm river, peaceful
and happy with
yourself.
• Or maybe there’s a
little hole in the dam
you might need to
fix next time…
Thanks for the River analogy, Di Laycock!
And thanks to Randi Schmidt for the research as journey idea!
All cartoons are taken from free archive at
www.lastlemon.com/dailydose