One of the AASL standards for 21st century students is [that they] will “investigate, think critically, and acquire knowledge” and “follow an inquiry-based process in research of knowledge in curriculum subjects and create the real-world connection to use this process in [his] life. (ALA, 2007, p. 4) Three search process models that help students make independent choices, ask questions, find resources, and discover information are Big6™, Kuhlthau Information Search Process, and I-Search. This article will compare these models and discuss their use in teaching students to conduct independent research. Big6™ The first process considered is Big6™. Mike Eisenberg and Bob Berkowitz, two computer literacy educators, developed the Big6 which uses six skill areas to provide students with a systematic means to solve problems using critical thinking skills. It is the best known and most used computer research process in the world. (Wurster, 2011) According to Eisenberg (2001), the purpose of the Big6™ is to help students work smarter. Educators, librarians, and parents achieve this by helping students develop the skills and understanding they need to find, process, and use information effectively by focusing on process and content. As presented by Carey (1998, Appendix A), the six components of the process are 1) Task Definition, 2) Information Search Strategies, 3) Location and Access, 4) Information Use, 5) Synthesis, and 6) Evaluation . Task definition consists of defining the information problem and identifying the necessary information. Information search strategies consist of determining all possible sources and selecting the best ones. Location and access include intellectual...... middle of document ......djournals/slmrb/ slmrcontents/volume11998slmqo /carey.cfmEisenberg, M. (2001). Big6™ Skills Overview. [Website Blog] Retrieved from http://www.big6.com/2001/11/19/a-big6%e2%84%a2-skills-overview/Kuhlthau, C. (1989). Information seeking process: A synthesis of research and implications for school library multimedia programs. Middle School Library Quarterly, 18(1). Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/aaslpubsandjournals/slmrb/editorschoiceb/infopower/slctkuhlthau2.cfmKuhlthau, C. (n.d.) [Personal web page] Retrieved from http://comminfo. rutgers .edu/~kuhlthau/index.htmlTallman, J. and Joyce, M. (2006). Connecting writing and research with the I-Search process. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, IncWurster, S. (2011) WHAT IS THE BIG6?. [Website Blog] Retrieved from http://www.big6.com/about/