F.I.N.D.S. is a model you can use when conducting research or responding to an information need. Its name is an acronym for the five steps of the process: Focus, Investigate, Note, Develop, and Score.
Focus on the information need
* What is my assignment or the information problem to be solved?
* What are my questions and/or thesis sentence?
* What types of information will be needed?
* How will I organize my search plan?
* What keywords and alternate search terms would be best for my topic?
* What search terminology and techniques should I use?
Investigate resources to look for an answer
* What criteria should I use to evaluate and select the information sources?
* Where are the sources located and what information does each source provide?
* Where is the information within each source and how do I locate it?
* What problems am I having in finding information and how do I solve these problems?
* How can I find what I need and respect the rights of others to equal access to information?
Note and evaluate facts
* What criteria should I use to evaluate the information I found?
* Does the information I found relate to my topic and questions?
* How do I take notes so that they are in my own words?
* Which facts do I need to create a citation for each source?
* Do I have facts from all points of view on my topic?
* Do I have the information I need and is my research complete?
Develop information into knowledge for presentation
* How should I present the information to best share what I learned with others?
* How do I organize the notes for my final presentation?
* Have I analyzed and used the information effectively?
* Are my conclusions based on the research evidence?
* How do I organize my citations into a bibliography and what format will I use?
* How do I integrate technology to enrich, publish, or present my project?
Score presentation and search
* What criteria will I use to judge my product?
* Did I present the information in the best way?
* Was my research process efficient and effective?
* How could I improve my search process next time?
Focus on the information need
* What is my assignment or the information problem to be solved?
* What are my questions and/or thesis sentence?
* What types of information will be needed?
* How will I organize my search plan?
* What keywords and alternate search terms would be best for my topic?
* What search terminology and techniques should I use?
Investigate resources to look for an answer
* What criteria should I use to evaluate and select the information sources?
* Where are the sources located and what information does each source provide?
* Where is the information within each source and how do I locate it?
* What problems am I having in finding information and how do I solve these problems?
* How can I find what I need and respect the rights of others to equal access to information?
Note and evaluate facts
* What criteria should I use to evaluate the information I found?
* Does the information I found relate to my topic and questions?
* How do I take notes so that they are in my own words?
* Which facts do I need to create a citation for each source?
* Do I have facts from all points of view on my topic?
* Do I have the information I need and is my research complete?
Develop information into knowledge for presentation
* How should I present the information to best share what I learned with others?
* How do I organize the notes for my final presentation?
* Have I analyzed and used the information effectively?
* Are my conclusions based on the research evidence?
* How do I organize my citations into a bibliography and what format will I use?
* How do I integrate technology to enrich, publish, or present my project?
Score presentation and search
* What criteria will I use to judge my product?
* Did I present the information in the best way?
* Was my research process efficient and effective?
* How could I improve my search process next time?
F.I.N.D.S DOCUMENTS TO DOWNLOAD
FINDS Research Organizer
(8 page booklet, finished size 5.5x8.5, same information as files below) |
FINDS Research Organizer
(4 page handout, finished size 8.5x11, same information as above, different layout) |
Diggity Dog Research Organizer
(2 page handout, finished size 14x8.5, similar information as above, designed for use by elementary students) |
FINDS Pocket Pal
(mini-booklet, finished size 2.75x4.25, overview of FINDS model |