Research skills

Research skills provide the the ability to search for information about a topic, evaluate that information efficiently, and share findings in an organized way.

For each skill category and cluster, IB provides skill indicators which learners can develop and demonstrate. Links to helpful resources and further ideas related to specific skill indicators are provided here.

The Author has provided links to resources and activities that support the development of Research Skills. Click on the blue text to go to external sites that provide support and ideas.

Skill Clusters	Early Years Skill Indicators	Primary Skill Indicators
Information literacy Formulating and planning, data gathering and recording, synthesizing and interpreting, evaluating and communicating	Formulating and planning Ask or express, through play, questions that can be researched. Select information sources and digital tools. Data gathering and documenting (audio recording, drawing, photographing) Gather information from a variety of sources (people, places, materials, literature). Use all senses to observe and notice details. Record observations—drawing, charting, tallying—using emergent writing skills, when possible, to write comments, annotate images, and so on. Synthesizing and interpreting Sort and categorize information and materials; arrange into forms or order, for example, with graphs, marks or symbols using emergent writing skills. Analyse and interpret information Evaluate and communicate Notice relationships and patterns. Present information in a variety of modalities. Acknowledge sources, for example, from a book, movie or peer.	Formulating and planning Ask or design relevant questions of interest that can be researched. Outline a plan for finding necessary information. Evaluate and select appropriate information sources and/or digital tools based on the task. Data gathering and recording Gather information from a variety of primary and secondary sources. Use all senses to find and notice relevant details. Record observations by drawing, note taking, charting, tallying, writing statements, annotating images. Synthesizing and interpreting Sort and categorize information: arrange information into understandable forms such as narratives, explanatory and procedural writing, tables, timelines, graphs and diagrams. Use critical literacy skills to analyse and interpret information. Evaluating and communicating Draw conclusions from relationships and patterns that emerge from data. Present information in a variety of formats and platforms. Understand the significance of academic integrity and intellectual property rights. Create references and citations, use footnotes/endnotes and construct a bibliography according to recognized conventions.
Media literacy Interacting with media to use and create ideas and information		Locate, organize, analyse, evaluate and synthesize information from a variety of trusted sources, social media and online networks. Compare, contrast and draw connections among (multi)media resources. Seek a range of perspectives from multiple and varied media sources. Demonstrate awareness of media interpretations of events and ideas. Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and modalities.
Ethical use of media/ information Understanding and applying social and ethical technology		Use media ethically to communicate, share and connect with others. Differentiate reliable from unreliable resources. Understand the impact of media representations and modes of presentation.