Deconstructing the search process – Topic: The American Family
K = what is already Known; W = What the searcher wants to know; H = How will the searcher find out; L = what has been Learned in the process	

PROCESS STEP	ACTION VERBS	PRODUCT	EXAMPLE	
identify information need (may be broad or focused at this stage)

Information need	identify, choose	preliminary topic	the American family
	
mind mapping
(structured brainstorming)

K	describe, list, name, identify, specify, relate	chart showing related concepts and possible avenues for exploration	                                   
United States    family life      changes: single parent; gay partners,
                                                 blended familes, etc.	
research background information, definitions, etc., if needed
W	locate, select, generalize, expand, define	facts to fill knowledge gaps and/or identify possible areas for further exploration	Encyclopedia of Applied Ethics, article on “Family” (encyclopedia); The Way We Never Were: American Families and the Nostalgia Trap (book); National Marriage Project <http://marriage.rutgers.edu/> 	
preliminary focus

W 	select, choose, identify, decide, express	first draft of research focus	Is the American family disappearing, or changing?	
main ideas or concepts (who, what, when, where, why) and synonyms
H	describe, list, select, identify, separate, decide, choose	preliminary list of search terms	•	American family 
•	family change
•	social change in the United States

consider potential info sources

H	select, list, identify, choose, evaluate	preliminary list of print, electronic or person-to-person (email, interviews, etc.) info sources	talk with friends who have firsthand experiences with different family structures ; interview some; explore print, online, and Web resources  	
research preliminary focus using main ideas/concepts or synonyms as search terms

H	locate, select, choose, expand, relate, evaluate	list of preliminary sources for draft focus	•	Marriage and Same-Sex Unions : A Debate (book)
•	The Changing American Family, NPR Talk of the Nation, 12/02/99  <http://www.npr.org/templates/story/>
•	Changing American Family, from Population Resource Center <http://www.prcdc.org/summaries/family/family.html>	
consider intended use/audience; time or cost considerations
H	factor, consider, plan, sequence, project	define intended audience or use; prepare timeline for research	research paper for a college course; written for the professor; paper is due end of the semester; timeline for tasks: ______________	
refine preliminary focus

L	select, choose, expand, evaluate, decide, complete, express	focused topic/question	What major social frameworks cause some people say that the American family is disappearing, while others say that it is changing, and accomodating to change?  	

5/18/05