Completing your homework often depends on knowing how to find and use the proper information. But with so much information out there, where do you begin? Searching for relevant information requires careful thought and strategy:

• Double check what the teacher expects from the homework. What is the question or problem? What kinds of information are needed to complete the assignment?

• For research projects, identify key words associated with the topic of the assignment. These words can be used as search terms in a library catalogue, an encyclopedia, or an Internet search.

• Locate and scan the best information resources. Some of the most useful resources may be specific books on the topic, an encyclopedia, magazines, the Internet, or even a conversation with someone who has specialized knowledge on the topic.

• While conducting your initial research, record only essential information, phrases, and keywords, and where the information came from. You can come back to the most useful sources later to gather more detailed information.

• Organize the information as you record it. Take notes on how you plan to communicate the ideas in each source.

• Is the information relevant to the topic you have been asked to write about? Is it accurate? Reliable? Sufficient?