Information Seeking Strategies in the Big6 means you determine sources and select the best ones for your task

Information Seeking Strategies in the Big6: Finding the Right Sources, Every Time

If you’ve ever stared at a mountain of information and wondered where to start, you’re not alone. In school and beyond, the first hurdle isn’t the sheer volume of data—it's picking the right sources. That moment when you ask, “Which sources really answer my question, and which ones are credible enough to trust?” is where Information Seeking Strategies shines. In the Big6 Skills model, this is the part of the process that helps you decide where to look and how to choose the best options.

Let me set the scene: imagine you’re working on a project about how media literacy has evolved in the digital age. You could chase articles, books, videos, blogs, government reports, or a mix of all of the above. The big question isn’t just “Where can I find information?” It’s “Which sources will give me accurate, relevant, and timely insights for my task?” That distinction—how to decide which sources to pull from—lives at the heart of Information Seeking Strategies.

What Information Seeking Strategies really includes

Here’s the thing about Information Seeking Strategies in the Big6: it’s all about identifying and selecting the sources that will best answer your question. It’s not simply about locating information inside a source (that’s a different skill) or about judging whether the information is good after you’ve found it. It’s the strategic, up-front work of choosing sources with care.

To keep it concrete, think of it like being a scout in a forest of information. You map the terrain, pick the trails that look sturdy, and carry the tools you’ll need to verify what you find. In practice, that means:

• Recognizing the types of information sources available (academic journals, government agencies, trade publications, reputable news outlets, books, credible websites, interviews, datasets, etc.).

• Assessing each source’s credibility, relevance, authority, and usefulness for your particular information need.

• Weighing trade-offs: a peer-reviewed article might be deep and precise, a government report might be timely and official, a trade magazine could offer industry context. Your job is to decide which combination will best answer your task.

This is the step where critical thinking flexes its muscles. It’s not enough to say, “I found something online.” The real skill is saying, “This source helps with my audience, fits my timeline, and carries enough authority to support my claims.” That mix of discernment and intent is what Information Seeking Strategies is all about.

Why this matters in media studies and beyond

In the modern information landscape, you’re swimming in sources—from glossy infographics on social media to dense scholarly articles tucked behind paywalls. For media specialists, the ability to locate credible sources quickly is a superpower. It keeps your work accurate, your arguments grounded, and your message trustworthy.

Consider how this skill plays out in real-world projects. If you’re analyzing the impact of algorithmic curation on news consumption, you’ll want a blend of sources: studies on user behavior, white papers from tech firms, policy analyses, and perhaps a few firsthand accounts. Each type has its strengths and potential blind spots. The art is balancing them in a way that answers your central question without tipping into bias.

Another angle: accessibility. Sometimes the best sources exist behind a paywall or behind a university portal. Information Seeking Strategies also means acknowledging those barriers and finding legitimate alternatives—open-access articles, author-released preprints, public data sets, or official reports from recognized institutions. The goal isn’t to shortcut the process; it’s to ensure you can responsibly support your conclusions with solid evidence, even when access isn’t perfect.

A simple framework you can use now

To keep this practical, here’s a straightforward, repeatable approach you can apply to most information tasks. It sounds almost too simple, but it’s surprisingly effective when you make it a habit.

1. Define the information need clearly

• What exactly are you trying to answer?

• What are the boundaries? (time period, geography, audience)

• What would count as a strong answer (or a weak one)?

2. Brainstorm potential source types

• List all plausible sources you could consult: encyclopedias, primary sources, secondary analyses, data repositories, expert interviews, think-tank reports, etc.

• Don’t judge yet—just capture options.

3. Do quick credibility checks on the most promising candidates

• Who authored it? Are they an expert in the field, affiliated with a reputable organization?

• When was it published or updated? Is the information current enough for your task?

• Is there evidence to back up claims? Do footnotes, references, or data support the arguments?

• Does the source show bias or a particular stance, and can you account for that in your use?

4. Compare for relevance and scope

• Does this source address your exact question or a closely related one?

• Does it fit the audience and format you’re aiming for (academic, professional, general public)?

• Are you combining sources that complement each other rather than duplicating coverage?

5. Select the best combination and justify your choice

• Pick a set of sources that together give you a rigorous, well-rounded view.

• Be prepared to explain why you chose them and how they support your conclusions.

A quick example in practice

Imagine you’re drafting a short analysis about how misinformation travels on social platforms and what strategies educators use to counter it. A practical set of Information Seeking Strategies might look like this:

• Start with a recognized review article that maps the landscape of misinformation research.

• Add a recent government or NGO report that discusses platform policies and their effectiveness.

• Include a couple of peer-reviewed studies on media literacy interventions in classrooms.

• Round out with a credible newsroom investigation that shows how misinformation spreads in real time.

With this mix, you’re not relying on a single source. You’re weaving together a tapestry that covers theory, policy, practice, and real-world examples. That’s how you produce a robust, credible piece that stands up to scrutiny.

Common pitfalls—and how to avoid them

No skill set is flawless, but you can sidestep many missteps with a few guardrails.

• Falling in love with one source. It’s tempting to lean on a favorite author or outlet. Resist the urge to lean too heavily on one perspective. Broaden the net to capture multiple angles.

• Skipping credibility checks for convenience. It’s easy to skim a source and assume it’s solid. Take a minute to look for author credentials, publication venue, and corroborating evidence elsewhere.

• Overlooking relevance because something is timely. Timeliness matters, but relevance to your question matters more. A recent piece that misses your central issue won’t help you make a strong argument.

• Ignoring accessibility. If a crucial source isn’t accessible, find a credible alternative or seek authorized routes to access it. The point is to build a transparent, verifiable foundation for your work.

Connecting the dots: how this fits into the bigger picture

Information Seeking Strategies is a cornerstone of information literacy. It’s not just a checklist; it’s a mindset. When you regularly rehearse the process of identifying and selecting sources, you become better at tuning your questions, expanding your repertoire of credible sources, and presenting findings in a way that’s clear and defensible.

If you’re helping students or colleagues, you can model this approach by walking through source selection aloud. “Here’s why I’m checking this author’s credentials,” you might say. “This publication is peer-reviewed, and these data points align with other studies.” That kind of transparent, thoughtful process helps others learn how to evaluate information on their own.

A few practical nudges for daily work

• Keep a small source inventory. Create a quick list of trusted sources you turn to for different topics—academic databases, government portals, and reputable outlets. It saves time when you’re under a deadline.

• Build a habit of cross-checking. For every important claim, try to locate at least one additional source that supports or challenges it.

• Learn the signals of quality in your field. In media studies, for example, authority often shows up in author credentials, journal impact, and transparent methodology. In data-driven work, look for clearly described methods and accessible datasets.

• Practice with bite-sized tasks. Pick a recent news topic and try to map out five potential source types, then pick the best two or three to support a concise analysis.

Putting it all together

Information Seeking Strategies, at its core, is about the care you give to choosing sources. It’s the difference between spinning a yarn from one convenient source and building a well-supported argument from a well-curated mix of credible materials. In the GACE Media Specialist context, this skill helps you navigate the sea of information with purpose, clarity, and integrity.

If you’re preparing to work on media-related tasks or academic projects, remember this: your questions drive your search, your sources validate your answers, and your judgment about what to trust makes all the difference. The right sources don’t just fill space on the page—they anchor your ideas in reality.

Final thoughts

To recap in a single line: Information Seeking Strategies is all about determining sources and selecting the best ones. It’s the detective work that makes your inquiry credible and your conclusions persuasive. When you apply this mindset, you’ll find that the path through information becomes less overwhelming and more like a guided tour—with clear stops, solid evidence, and a story that resonates with readers.

If you’re curious to explore more about how the Big6 framework guides practical information work in education and media settings, you’ll find that these strategies remain surprisingly adaptable. They’re not locked behind a dusty curriculum page—they’re living tools you can carry into classrooms, libraries, offices, and even your own research projects. And that, frankly, is what makes them worth mastering.