Gavilan Model: what it is and how it is applied to solve problems.

A tool to organize a coherent and useful information search process.

Searching for information and different ways to solve a problem is something that living beings need to do constantly in order to survive. This also extends to the human being, who is also characterized by having developed a society in which problems are not limited to immediate aspects related to survival but in the generation of different methods to solve abstract and complex problems (labor, social, logical or scientific aspects for example).

This is why from childhood and throughout education it is necessary to stimulate the ability to investigate, search and select information in order to solve certain problems. The methodologies and models used to achieve this stimulation can be multiple, one example of which is the so-called Gavilán model, which we will discuss in this article.model, which we are going to talk about in this article.

The Gavilán model: a methodology for searching for information

It receives the name of Gavilán model to a methodology consisting of four basic steps that aims to contribute to to achieve valid, coherent, logical and rational research.. It is a methodology born and applied mainly in the academic field (both in school and university education).

The model in question seeks on the one hand to provide guidance to students regarding the methodology to be used when searching for information in order to be able to give at the same time to stimulate the competence and mastery of the fact of locating, selecting and using information.

This model was developed by the Fundación Gabriel Piedrahita Uribe (the name Gavilán comes from the nickname given in childhood to this young man, who died at the age of 22 in a plane crash and shortly before graduating from Harvard as a teacher) given the difficulties observed in other educational models when it came to getting students to conduct exhaustive and quality information searches in such a way as to provide guidance and allow teachers to develop activities that allow students to learn a specific methodology to search for reliable information in the most optimal way possible.

The Gavilán model is a simple and easily understandable model for the various age groups in which it is usually applied, dedicated to the search for information on very specific topics and problems and focused on the collection and analysis of information on the most relevant topics and problems. focused on the collection and analysis of information and not so much on the actual resolution of a problem. In other words, this model offers a framework or methodology, but not a solution to the questions that need to be answered.

Its phases

As mentioned above, the Gavilán model consists of a series of four steps or phases focused on the search for and collection of information, each of which has different sub-steps within itself.

It is a simple a simple process that can be followed by both students and professionals.Although the process is focused on the student or researcher, the model also offers different options for analyzing and evaluating the process to the teachers who apply it, being able to carry out evaluations in each of the steps that are part of it. The steps in question would be the following.

1. Define the problem

First of all, the Gavilán model proposes that in order to carry out good research, the first thing that needs to be done is to define and delimit the problem or topic that needs to be investigated or that requires a solution. In this way, the aim is to learn to identify what they are working on, what the objective is and what they may need in order to start working on it.

In this step we must first ask a specific question, delimiting the topic or aspect to be worked on or the objectives to be achieved..

Subsequently, this question should not only be identified but also analyzed in order to understand what they are looking for, what opinion or ideas they have about it and the difficulties that may be involved in meeting their objectives or solving the problem to be investigated.

After this, it will be necessary for the subject to generate a series of possible ways or processes that can be followed to obtain the information and the aspects of the question that can provide information to resolve the question.. In other words, to draw up a research plan.

During the elaboration of this plan, secondary questions will arise which, in the end, will provide us with more precise information about what we want to know and will allow us to have a more accurate and precise vision of the subject.

2. Search and evaluate the information.

Once we have located what we need to research and planned how we are going to do it, the next step is to take action: start the search for information. The objective of this step of the model is to develop information search skills.

First of all, it will be necessary to identify possible sources of information, assessing which ones might be the most appropriate and valid, and the type of information they can and the type of information they can obtain from them.

A second step would be to go to those sources of information or those that are available (since access to them is not always possible, especially), and proceed to search them for the type of information that would be needed.

Once this has been done and observing the type of source and its content the student should be able to consider whether or not the source itself is reliable and valid.

3. Analyze the information

While the previous step focused more on finding, accessing and evaluating sources, in this third step the work will be carried out directly with the information to be worked on. Aspects such as the critical evaluation of information, the use of resources or the search for coherence in the information will be worked on.

First of all, the subject will have to proceed to read the information present in the previously evaluated sources and analyze which of that information fits the initial question or the secondary questions..

Once this has been done, a critical analysis of the information that has been extracted should be carried out in order to assess whether it allows the resolution of the problems, or whether a deeper, more exhaustive exploration may be necessary, or through other sources. It is not only necessary to read, but also to understand and make sense of it. and make sense of it.

Subsequently, with this information we will try to answer the secondary questions, transforming the information based on what the subject has understood about it and its relationship with the questions asked.

4. Synthesizing the information and using it

The last step of this model focuses on, having the information already extracted, generating content or giving real answers to the initial questions or problems. Aspects such as the endowment of meaning, the understanding of the and the capacity for both synthesis and application of the analysis..

Initially, having already answered the secondary questions that arose during the elaboration of the intervention plan, it will be necessary to synthesize them and generate an answer to the main question that led to the research process.

After having this answer we should be able to apply it in concrete situations, generating a product or using it to solve the basic problem (even if it is at a theoretical level). (even if it is at a theoretical level).

Finally, taking into account that the Gavilán model is focused on research, the last step will be to explain, express or record the results of the process. This is a step that lets others see the existence of a real investigation and the understanding and mastery of it.

A very useful model

The Gavilan model is relatively recent, but it is a very useful model. a simple and easily applicable model.

In addition, it allows students to improve their skills in the search for and handling of different types of information, which is essential in a computerized society (this model was created taking into account the high presence of information and communication technologies) and with access to a huge volume of information sources, many of which are unreliable, contradictory to other sources or outdated.

This is applicable to all types of research processes, especially in the educational field, but not only in the field of research.especially in the educational field, but not limited to it (although scientific research generally requires a much more demanding process, for example when it comes to validating the data).

Bibliographical references

• Cánchica de Medina, M. (2016). Gavilán model for the development of competencies in information management through Google drive. An innovative experience. Academia y Virtualidad Journal, 9, (2), 10-26.
• Eduteka (2007). Gavilán 2.0 Model. A proposal for the development of information management competence (CMI) [Online]. Available at: http://www.eduteka. org/pdfdir/ModeloGavilan.pdf [Accessed January 25, 2018].
• González, L. and Sánchez, B. (2007). Guide for using the Gavilan Model in the classroom. [Online]. Available at: www.eduteka.org/modulos/1/1/.