Search Strategies

Understand the relationship between reference interview technique and search strategy. Identify and explain the search strategy appropriate to a given question. Identify basic strategies for starting any search. Introduce the Central Library’s public service departments and identify their unique resources. Introduce Core Reference Collection. Training Objectives

Understand the relationship between reference interview technique and search strategy.

Identify and explain the search strategy appropriate to a given question.

Identify basic strategies for starting any search.

Introduce the Central Library’s public service departments and identify their unique resources.

Introduce Core Reference Collection.

You don’t have to know everything … You just have to know how to find it. Search Strategies

Search = Question + Information Resources Type Language Parameters Type Language Parameters The Search

Type

Language

Parameters

Type

Language

Parameters

The Question Type Language Parameters Request for a specific item or single fact Request for information about a subject

Type

Language

Parameters

Request for a specific item or single fact

Request for information about a subject

How accurately the customer communicates the question How accurately you interpret the question The Question Type Language Parameters

How accurately the customer communicates the question

How accurately you interpret the question

Type

Language

Parameters

When is the info needed? Purpose School assignment Format Subject interrelationships Time Frame Geographical boundaries The Question Type Language Parameters

When is the info needed?

Purpose

School assignment

Format

Subject interrelationships

Time Frame

Geographical boundaries

Type

Language

Parameters

Search = Question + Information Resources Type Language Parameters Type Language Parameters The Search

Type

Language

Parameters

Type

Language

Parameters

Type Language Parameters Single tool Collection (within a collection) Network Information Resources

Type

Language

Parameters

Single tool

Collection (within a collection)

Network

Type Language Parameters How it should be approached Its points of access The form the entries should take Information Resources

Type

Language

Parameters

How it should be approached

Its points of access

The form the entries should take

Information Resources Direct resource Produces the actual information Indirect resource Refers searcher somewhere else Type Language Parameters

Direct resource Produces the actual information

Indirect resource Refers searcher somewhere else

Type

Language

Parameters

The Search Process Verify the question Categorize the question Identify type of search Identify resources useful to search Translate question Conduct the search Deliver the information

Verify the question

Categorize the question

Identify type of search

Identify resources useful to search

Translate question

Conduct the search

Deliver the information

The Search Process Verify the question

The Search Process Categorize the question

The Search Process Identify the type of search

The Search Process Identify resources useful for the search

The Search Process Translate question into the language of the selected source

Everything should be made as simple as possible. Albert Einstein

The Search Process Conduct the search

The Search Process Deliver the information

The Search Process If the question is not answered. . . Have I misunderstood the question? Do I need to rethink my strategy? Did I follow through on each decision? Should I have tried alternative approaches? Is this question more appropriately answered by another agency?

Have I misunderstood the question?

Do I need to rethink my strategy?

Did I follow through on each decision?

Should I have tried alternative approaches?

Is this question more appropriately answered by another agency?

The Search Process Remember… NEVER try to persuade a dissatisfied customer that the information is acceptable Never say we are unable to answer a question without first consulting other staff

NEVER try to persuade a dissatisfied customer that the information is acceptable

Never say we are unable to answer a question without first consulting other staff

The Search Process Summary… The more you perform searches and use the resources. . . You will learn about the collection You will develop short cuts You will learn which sources work best for you and go right to them

The more you perform searches and use the resources. . .

You will learn about the collection

You will develop short cuts

You will learn which sources work best for you and go right to them