Understanding Task Definition in the Big6 Skills model helps you start your research on solid ground.

Outline (brief skeleton)

• Hook: Why Task Definition is the compass for any information quest.

• What Task Definition means in the Big6 model: it’s the first, foundational step—defining the information problem.

• How to do it, step by step: clarify the need, set scope, identify constraints, and state the task clearly.

• A concrete example in media topics: a simple, relatable task definition you can reuse.

• Common traps and how to sidestep them.

• Practical tools and tips to capture the task clearly.

• Wrap-up: when you start with a solid task definition, the rest of the Big6 flow feels smoother and more focused.

Task Definition: the first, crucial move in Big6

Let me explain it in plain terms. Task Definition is the Big6 stage you can’t skip if you want to research well. Think of it as setting the map before you start the journey. If you don’t know where you’re headed, any path can look tempting, but you’ll likely end up with scattered notes, vague conclusions, and a sense that your effort didn’t quite hit the mark. In the Big6 framework, Task Definition asks you to name the information problem clearly, figure out exactly what you need to know, and spell out what success looks like. When that step is done well, every later move—finding sources, organizing what you collect, and judging what you’ve found—feels purposeful.

What does Task Definition actually mean here?

• Define what the information is about: What question are you trying to answer? What problem do you want to solve?

• Clarify the scope: How broad or narrow should your inquiry be? What time frame or geographic focus matters?

• Identify constraints and requirements: What deadlines, word counts, or format expectations shape your task? What sources count as credible in your context?

• Describe the audience and deliverable: Who will use your findings, and in what form will they be presented?

• Set success criteria: What would show you’ve answered the question well? A concise answer, a set of credible sources, a balanced view, or a practical recommendation?

In practical terms, Task Definition is about turning a big, fuzzy curiosity into a precise, workable question. It’s the moment you translate that curiosity into a “here’s what we’re going to figure out” statement. Without this clarity, you’re not misfiring—you’re shooting at a moving target.

A simple, relatable example from media studies

Let’s anchor this with a straightforward topic many students encounter: examining how social media influences the credibility of local news. If you jump straight to “find sources about social media credibility,” you’re skipping the essential groundwork. Here’s how Task Definition looks when you do it right.

• Information problem (task) statement: How does social media influence the perceived credibility of local news, and what can local outlets do to strengthen trust among readers?

• Information needed:

• Definitions of credibility (what counts as credible in this context)

• How readers form trust when encountering news on social platforms

• Data or studies about social media’s role in local news perception

• Examples of counter-misinformation strategies used by local outlets

• Scope: focus on recent developments (past 5–7 years), U.S. local news ecosystems, and a mix of qualitative insights (surveys or interviews) and credible quantitative studies.

• Constraints: sources must be from established outlets or peer-reviewed work; avoid purely opinion-based blogs; keep it within a 1500–2000 word deliverable.

• Audience and deliverable: a concise report for a class or project brief with practical recommendations for a local newsroom.

• Success criteria: a clear, answerable question; a defined list of credible sources; a short set of actionable recommendations; and a brief reflection on limitations.

If you capture a task definition like this, you’ve laid a sturdy foundation. Now you know exactly what to search for, which sources count, and what your end product should look like.

From problem to plan: the mindset you bring to Task Definition

The beauty of Task Definition is its practicality. It’s not a mystical concept hidden behind jargon; it’s a habit you can develop. Ask yourself: What am I really trying to learn here? What would count as a solid answer? What constraints could limit my options, and how can I plan around them?

A few quick prompts you can use anytime:

• Restate the task in one clear sentence.

• List three questions that must be answered to solve the problem.

• Name two to three kinds of sources you’ll rely on.

• Decide what a successful outcome looks like (a short answer, a briefing, a set of sources, etc.).

• Note any constraints—timeline, format, audience, or resource limits.

If you pause to answer these prompts before you start, you’ll notice your next steps become obvious rather than overwhelming.

A practical workflow to keep you moving

Let me outline a simple flow you can adopt, especially when you’re juggling multiple topics or deadlines.

1. Clarify the prompt in plain language

• Translate the question into a straightforward request.

• Remove vague terms and replace them with specific, verifiable goals.

2. Map the scope

• Decide the time frame, geography, and topic boundaries.

• Note what you will not cover, to keep scope from expanding.

3. Identify deliverables and audience

• Decide whether you’ll produce a written report, a slide deck, or a quick memo.

• Consider what your audience cares about—data, context, practical takeaways?

4. Set success criteria

• Define what “good” looks like: credible sources, balanced viewpoints, a clear conclusion.

5. Write the task definition statement

• Put it all together in one or two crisp sentences plus a bulleted list of specifics.

A word about sources and credibility

In media studies, credibility isn’t just about a good source; it’s about a trustworthy pathway from question to answer. Task Definition helps you filter early for what counts as credible. If you waste time chasing sources that don’t meet essential criteria, you’ll be left with a patchwork, not a solid argument. Your task definition helps you avoid that by spelling out the kinds of sources you’ll accept and the level of evidence you’ll require.

Common traps—and how to sidestep them

• Ambiguity: If the question is fuzzy, your search will be too. Keep the task definition tight and check it against your final conclusions.

• Scope creep: It’s tempting to widen your topic once you start digging. Guard against this by re-reading your task definition before each new step.

• Vague success criteria: Without a clear end goal, you won’t know when you’re done. Attach concrete measures (a list of sources, a synthesis paragraph, specific recommendations).

• Relying on convenience sources: It’s easy to grab what’s easiest to access. Make a rule to include at least a couple of different, credible source types (peer-reviewed studies, reputable outlets, official statistics).

Tools that can help you lock in Task Definition

• Quick mind map: Put the central question in the middle and branch out with scope, audience, constraints, and deliverables.

• One-sentence task definition: A single sentence that captures the essence of the problem.

• A short checklist: Five to seven bullets that you can tick off as you refine the task.

• A rough deliverable mock-up: A tiny draft of what you’ll hand in helps you see whether your task aligns with the target format.

Real-world bits and bytes you can relate to

You’ll often see Task Definition used by students across disciplines—education, journalism, communications, library science, and beyond. It translates to every project where you’re trying to make sense of a jumble of information. In media work, you might shape a task like: “Assess how audience trust in local outlets changes with platform choice, and propose concrete steps a newsroom could take to improve credibility on social platforms.” It’s specific, measurable, and doable, yet flexible enough to adapt as you learn more.

A few phrases you’ll hear that matter in the context of Big6

• Clarity upfront saves time later.

• The task is not the answer; it’s the path you’ll follow to the answer.

• Your deliverable should reflect the audience’s needs and expectations.

Bringing it all back to a practical habit

Task Definition isn’t a one-and-done move. It’s a habit you cultivate. Each project, big or small, benefits from taking a quiet moment to name the problem clearly. When you start there, you’ll notice a natural shift in how you approach sources, how you record ideas, and how you present what you’ve learned. It’s like tightening a screw before you put on a new handle—the whole thing feels sturdier, and the end result sits better in place.

A closing thought: the clarity you gain today pays off tomorrow

If you remember one thing about Task Definition, let it be this: clarity compounds. The more precisely you define the information problem, the more focused your search becomes. You’ll waste less time chasing dead ends, you’ll gather higher-quality sources, and your final synthesis will be cleaner. In the world of media studies and information literacy, that clarity is power. It helps you weigh evidence, question assumptions, and present findings in a way that resonates with real people—whether you’re drafting a report for a classroom, pitching a local newsroom, or shaping a larger media project.

So next time you’re faced with a question or a topic, start by naming the problem clearly. Ask the right questions, pin down the scope, and write a crisp task definition statement. The rest of the Big6 flow will feel less like a marathon and more like a well-timed, purposeful sprint toward a solid answer. And that, honestly, is what good information work is all about.