Stage

Task

Thoughts

Feelings

Actions

Strategies

1

Task initiation

Contemplating assignment,   comprehending task, relating prior experience and knowledge, considering   possible topics

Apprehension of work ahead,   uncertainty

Talking with others, browsing   library

Brainstorming, discussing,   contemplating possibilities, tolerating uncertainty

2

Topic selection

Weighing topics against criteria   such as personal interest, project requirements, information available, time   available; predicting outcome of possible choices, choosing topic with   potential for success

Confusion, sometimes anxiety,   brief elation (after selection), anticipation of task

Consulting informal mediators,   using reference collections, preliminary searches

Discussing possible topics,   predicting outcomes of choices, gaining general overview of topic

3

Pre-focus exploration

Becoming informed about general   topic, seeking focus in general information found, identifying possible foci,   inability to express precise information needed

Confusion, doubt, sometimes   threat, uncertainty

Locating relevant information, reading   to become informed, taking notes, making bibliographic citations

Reading to learn about topic,   tolerating inconsistency and incompatibility of information encountered,   intentionally seeking possible focus, listing descriptors

4

Focus formation

Predicting outcome of possible   foci, using stage 2 task criteria, identifying ideas in information to form   focus, sometimes characterised by a sudden moment of insight

Optimism, confidence of ability to   complete task

Reading notes for themes

Making a survey of notes, listing   possible foci, choosing a focus while rejecting others OR combining several   themes to form one focus

5

Information collection

Seeking information to support   focus, defining and extending focus through information, gathering pertinent   information, organising information in notes

Realisation of extensive work to   be done, confidence in ability to complete task, increased interest

Using library to collect pertinent   information, requesting specific sources, talking detailed notes with   bibliographic citations

Using descriptors to search out   pertinent information, making comprehensive search of various types of   materials i.e. reference, periodicals, non-fiction and biography, using   indexes, requesting assistance of librarian

6

Search closure

Identify need for any additional   information, considering time limit, diminishing relevance, increasing   redundancy, exhausting resources

Sense of relief, sometimes   satisfaction, sometimes disappointment

Re-checking information for   information initially overlooked, confirming information and bibliographic   citations

Returning to library to make   summary search, keeping books until completion of writing to re-check   information