How to ask a proper research question in order to elicit an accurate answer from your researcher. This article was written by in and published in Freepint as a response to many Freepinters, whose questions were ignored because they were so ambiguous that the researcher couldn\'t respond without asking 20 more questions.
The 4th Wave of Content Marketing: From Passive to Interactive
Bar Orphans
1. u
2nd February 2006
No.199
Contents Editorial
When I studied for my information science degree
Editorial 1 at Aberystwyth University here in the UK, I
By William Hann remember we had a module on the 'reference
My Favourite Tipples 2 interview'. It was in the 'information consultant'
By Lee McLean module and taught how to ask an information
enquirer questions to qualify exactly what they are
Jinfo :: Jobs in information 4 looking for.
I remember thinking how wonderful it would be to
FreePint Bar 5 be an 'infomediary', able to tease out (through a
process of gentle interrogation) the real underlying information need. Little
did I know that the Web was about to be launched and, just a few years
Tips Article 7 hence, that most information searching would be reduced to just one- or
"Learning languages online" two-word searches in a handful of centralised information-seeking launch
By Emma Thompson pads.
Review 11 With a background in the mechanics of information storage, retrieval
"Knowledge-based working: intelligent and dissemination, I marvel at the speed and quality of the search
operating for the knowledge age" algorithms of the major search engines. However, there is still a big
Reviewed by Jela Webb problem with finding very specific information. For that, you need to
be able to formulate search questions precisely -- not only
Feature Article 13 technologically (through advanced search syntax) but by articulating
"Bar Orphans: Getting your questions exactly what you need (with alternative keywords) and why you need it.
answered at the FreePint Bar"
By Jane Macoustra The lack of such skills is nowhere more evident than at the FreePint
Bar, which has become a focus for tricky research questions that require
human intervention. Information requests at the Bar are often made
Events and Gold 16 without any of the necessary contextual information, and therefore a
'virtual reference interview' needs to take place to find out exactly what is
Contact Information 17 required and what has been tried already.
Jane Macoustra examines this behaviour in today's newsletter, where
HTML Version she explains how to get the most out of the information questions that
<http://www.freepint.com/issues/020206.htm> are being posted at the Bar. There have been almost 30,000 questions
and answers since the Bar's launch in 1999, but it's still the less-
Fully Formatted Acrobat Version definable, non-technical queries which are the hardest to help with.
<http://www.freepint.com/issues/020206.pdf>
As we approach the bicentennial edition of the FreePint Newsletter
later this month, do remember that there is a fully searchable archive
About FreePint of newsletters and Bar postings on the FreePint Web site
<http://www.freepint.com/search/>, plus the last call for your comments in
FreePint (ISSN 1460-7239) is an online network of our member survey <http://www.freepint.com/go/b36367>.
information workers. Members receive this free
newsletter twice a month, packed with tips on Although I do believe that a professional qualification in 'information' can
finding and managing quality and reliable work- stand you in good stead for an interesting and rewarding career, basic
related information. information-literacy training is vitally important now for anyone using the
Web for work-related purposes. Thanks to professionals like Jane
Joining is free at <http://www.freepint.com/> and Macoustra, this basic information training is becoming freely available,
provides access to a substantial archive of articles, which helps to plug the hole of purely technologically-based information-
reviews and events, with answers to research seeking solutions.
questions and networking at the FreePint Bar.
William Hann
To read the fully-formatted version visit Managing Editor and Founder, FreePint
<http://www.freepint.com/issues/>. To receive a
fully-formatted version as an attachment or a E: william.hann@freepint.com
brief notification when it's online, visit T: 0870 141 7474
<http://www.freepint.com/subs/>. Please I: +44 870 141 7474
circulate this newsletter, which is best read when FreePint is a Registered Trademark of Free Pint Limited (R)
printed out.
2nd February 2006 - Page 1
2. My Favourite Tipples
My Favourite Tipples Silobreaker
by Lee McLean
<http://www.silobreaker.com>
• After receiving strategically useful feedback from
library users in our 2004 LibQUAL survey 12000+ sources, biographies, visualization,
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the process in 2006. The site also has an excellent across information and industry silos. Just what
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flat fee of 199 USD per year and 2 weeks of free
• Content creators are watching the BBC mp3 trial.
downloading and podcasting trial with interest. Try
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Lee McLean is
Business and • Whether organising an office party or client event, Thomson's flagship product
Multimedia Librarian or just planning your next meal out, London
at London Business Eating's customer reviews will tell you what a reviewed in VIP
School and a Masters restaurant is REALLY like <http://www.london- The January 2006 issue of VIP reviews Thomson
student via distance eating.co.uk>. Business Intelligence, Thomson's new flagship
learning with Victoria product, that provides access to news, market
University, New • <http://www.dvdrr.com/> - I'm a 'DVDs by post' research and broker research, via a single interface.
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stressed out by an overdue rented film again. <http://www.vivaVIP.com/>
Submit your top five • From the 'How To Library' to its Quick References, I
favourite Web sites. use Webmonkey a lot. The HTML cheat sheet in
See the guidelines at particular is very helpful
<http://www.freepint <http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/index.ht
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Silobreak in 7. You’re done! Click the Login button and go straight
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4. Jinfo Jobs
Jinfo :: Jobs in information
www.jinfo.com Business Process Analyst
The Jinfo service enables you to search and Assess business needs & develop procedures to
advertise information-related job vacancies. support business processes, using your
requirements gathering & report writing skills.
The Jinfo Newsletter is published free every two Recruiter: Sue Hill Recruitment
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along with job-seeking advice. The latest article is
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<http://www.jinfo.com/newsletter/>.
Take responsibility for the provision of library
NB: There are 42 other jobs in the current edition and information services deputising for the LIS
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2nd February 2006 - Page 4 www.freepint.com/issues/020206.htm
5. Bar
FreePint Bar
In Association with Factiva
a Dow Jones & Reuters Company
There's a lot to get your teeth into this week: with
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Let's start off with an unusual question: Do you know
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Public and private financial company information
Or have you ever set up a 'learning zone' within a for the Asia-Pacific region
Penny Hann, corporate information environment? To register for a FREE trial click on
FreePint <http://www.freepint.com/go/b36936>
<penny.hann@free <http://www.bvdep.com/ORIANA.html>
pint.com> This FreePinter is looking for an 'estimated
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The FreePint Bar is <http://www.freepint.com/go/b36935>. Perhaps
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<http://www.freepint.com/go/b36776>. Access hard-to-find data on UK company directors,
Subscribe to the original company filing images and company data
twice-weekly email The latest issue of VIP Eye has just been published; it for Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy,
digests at includes news on the Google and Motorola Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and
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nt.com/subs/> <http://www.vivavip.com/go/l245>.
Researcha is free to search and view basic details,
A number of VIP subscribers have requested a with convenient report delivery. Try it now during
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this something that interests you? If so, please let shape this new service.
Pam Foster (VIP's Editor) know which products you'd
like her to include <http://www.Researcha.com/>
<http://www.vivavip.com/go/l255>.
These postings are computer-related queries:
Whenever an email is sent from a Hotmail address to Compare pay-as-you-go services
an Ntlworld address it bounces back. Any ideas why?
<http://www.freepint.com/go/b36858> in VIP
The St John Ambulance in Berkshire has a website
but it is not showing up on search engines. Is there a The December issue of VIP compared pay-as-you-
cheap/free way of fixing this? go services from four major providers - Alacra,
<http://www.freepint.com/go/b36796>. Dialog, Factiva and LexisNexis.
And finally, these dissertation-related postings at the VIP compared coverage, search options, results,
FreePint Student Bar should get you thinking ... usability and more:
The first is on the effectiveness of corporate <http://www.vivavip.com/>
governance in publicly owned enterprises
<http://www.freepint.com/go/s4882> and the
second is looking at how Google is used by
university students for their assignments
<http://www.freepint.com/go/s4887>. Do you know
where to find material to help with these projects?
Penny Hann Production Editor, FreePint
<penny.hann@freepint.com>
2nd February 2006 - Page 5 www.freepint.com/issues/020206.htm
7. Tips Article
“Learning languages online”
By Emma Thompson
Introduction
Survey :: Understanding
According to the Subject Centre for Languages, FreePint as an Online
Linguistics and Area Studies
<http://www.llas.ac.uk/> there are 700 reasons to Community
learn languages. There are also, however, plenty of
reasons why learning a language can be difficult, We're trying to build a better understanding of the
despite good intentions. Common reasons are lack composition and needs of the FreePint
of time, or unavailability of classes, or even bad community.
memories of how you were taught at school.
Please take two minutes to complete our survey:
The Internet can offer you instant access to authentic <http://www.freepint.com/go/b36367>
written, spoken languages and even whole language
Emma Thompson is a
courses, depending on your available time and
Hispanic Studies
interest. Whether you are a complete beginner with
graduate and You may need the basics quickly; for example,
"learn Spanish" on your list of goals, or someone who
Information Specialist. greetings and introductions for a conference or a
learnt French at school and has become rusty, the
She manages the quick break abroad. You can also download key
Internet offers you possibilities to learn and improve
Business and phrases from the BBC Languages site in 37
your language skills.
Languages Information languages - these can be printed out or
Service (BLIS) at the downloaded as an MP3 so you can take them with
Much has changed since my last FreePint article on
University of Plymouth, you on your MP3 player and hear the
this subject in 1999
a multimedia library pronunciation spoken by a native.
<http://www.freepint.com/issues/270599.htm#tips>
within the Plymouth
- the increased adoption of broadband has made
Business School. Emma For languages not covered by the BBC, try I Love
online audio and video manageable, MP3 players
has worked in free and Languages <http://www.ilovelanguages.com/>,
have entered the mainstream and now podcasting
fee-based business which is a huge eclectic collection of language
opens up huge possibilities. It seems a good time to
information in the resources, linking to many online courses
revisit some sites to see what they now offer, and to
public and private including lesser used languages.
showcase some of the new sites that can help a
sector, and most
language learner. Obviously, I cannot cover all
recently in higher Online courses
languages and all levels, but I hope to inspire (or
education. Contact
kick-start) those who want to explore the
Emma via A portal such as I Love Languages will point to
possibilities for brushing up old skills or learning an
http://www.plymouth. sites that have courses in specific languages -
entirely new language.
ac.uk/staff/ethompson some charge a fee, but many are free. A couple of
The basics good ones are: German for Travellers
<http://www.germanfortravellers.com/>; The
Are you a complete beginner, or did you study a Cervantes Institute Aula de Lengua for Spanish
language a long time ago? Perhaps you are not sure <http://cvc.cervantes.es/aula/>. The
how good your language skills are now. You can aforementioned BBC site has a wide variety of
gauge your current level online. BBC Languages is an courses including videos that complement their
excellent first stop programmes shown on the BBC Learning Zone
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages>. It has a quick slot. They can be used independently of the TV
test to gauge your level in French, German, Spanish series, such as German Steps
and Italian. Depending on your results, you will be <http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/german/lj/>.
directed to appropriate resources for your level and For beginners, it is useful to reinforce basic phrases
language. and master pronunciation by listening to key
phrases spoken by a native speaker; these online
For other languages, try Dialang offerings include audio and video that help the
<http://www.dialang.org/english>. Dialang is a learner do exactly that.
European Union project, free to use, which tests and
assesses your language level in 14 European
languages.
2nd February 2006 - Page 7 www.freepint.com/issues/020206.htm
8. Tips Article
Related FreePint links
Media sites - podcasts and television
Glen Recruitment is a leading independent
We all learn to speak our native language through Employment Consultancy dealing in the
“Training - listening, so it makes sense to use the many recruitment of Information Specialists, Knowledge
Industrial/Vocational” possibilities on the Internet for audio language Professionals, Business Analysts, Researchers and
articles in the FreePint Librarians. We provide both permanent and
learning. Radio stations have been available online
Portal
for some time now, and if you have a broadband temporary staff at all levels from senior managers
<http://www.freepint.co
m/go/p182> connection you can listen, at your leisure, to to recent graduates. Please visit our recently
stations from Azerbaijan to Zimbabwe. Find the upgraded web-site for a wide range of current
station to suit you at <http://www.radio- vacancies. For more details call 020 7745 7245
Post a message to the locator.com/>. The disadvantage is that unless you email <info@glenrecruitment.co.uk>
author, Emma are quite an advanced learner, dipping into a
Thompson or suggest random broadcast can be more frustrating than
further resources at the enjoyable. It can be tricky to pause or rewind, and from radio stations and amateurs - why not free up
FreePint Bar it is easy to lose track of the speaker. You may miss some space on your MP3 player to learn a new
<http://www.freepint.co some vocabulary or struggle to keep up with a language or improve rusty skills? With the podcast
m/bar> presenter who has a strong accent or speaks fast. software, the programmes are automatically
The other disadvantage is that you are limited to updated and can be copied to an MP3 player to
listening on your computer. listen anywhere - in the car, on the train, out
Read this article online, jogging or in the gym - these can all be
with activated hyperlinks For the language learner, Podcasts overcome opportunities for improving your language skills.
<http://www.freepint.co many of the difficulties associated with radio
m/issues/020206.htm#ti online. Podcast was the word of 2005, according to Newspapers and magazines have been available
ps> the New Oxford American dictionary. Podcasting online for some years. More recently, many have
has certainly jumped from obscurity into the begun to restrict much of their content to
mainstream in the past year subscribers or pay-per-view customers. However,
Access the entire archive <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4504256. newspaper sites can still be a useful resource for
of FreePint content stm>. Many radio stations and individuals are now
<http://www.freepint.co
language learners. Use
making podcasts available to download, and all of <http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/> to find
m/portal/content/> these resources are in many languages other than newspapers by country.
English. Podcasts are a tremendous resource for
intermediate to advanced language learners. To By using TV station websites from other countries,
find a list of many podcasts available go to you can watch and listen to news and current
podcast.net <http://www.podcast.net/>. You will affairs from abroad
then need to download software to organise your <http://www.tv5.org/TV5Site/lf/langue_francaise.
downloads - for example iTunes php/>. The French Television station TV5 has
<http://www.apple.com/itunes/> from Apple, or pages that are made specifically for learners,
ipodder including language games and quizzes. Also for
<http://www.ipodder.org/directory/4/ipodderSoft French, the Swiss TV channel TSR
ware>. <http://www.tsr.ch/> streams much of its news
content to view on-demand - with excellent
With podcasts you can listen when it suits you, as quality pictures and audio. For Italian, the RAI site
many times as you wish, pause to look up a word, allows you to watch streamed news broadcasts
or repeat a small section until you understand it. <http://www.rai.it/>.
Personally, podcasting allows me to indulge my
love of Spanish cooking by signing up to the
fortnightly podcast of Guisando.org
<http://www.guisando.org/> and improve my
Spanish at the same time. For beginners, there are
also podcasts specifically designed for learners,
offering regular advice on grammar and
pronunciation, for example: Let's Speak German
<http://learninggerman.mschubertberlin.de/podbl
og/>. Every day there are more podcasts available
2nd February 2006 - Page 8 www.freepint.com/issues/020206.htm
9. Tips Article - Fothcoming
Email and online shopping
We all use email daily, and online shopping is very
well established. Both can be used to the Do you use DigBig to shorten
advantage of language learners. For help with long Web addresses?
writing, why not find an email pen friend in your
target language? The Tandem server Then please supply a brief testimonial:
<http://www.slf.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/> is based in <http://www.digbig.com/testimonial.html>
Germany, but enables partnerships between
language learners speaking dozens of languages. "A great idea! Used regularly and even more
You can link up with a native speaker for an e- regularly passed on to others - many thanks"
tandem partnership using email, or even sign up Business Information Co-ordinator, London
for phone tandem if you want to practice your (January 2006)
speaking skills. Tandem language learning can be
face-to-face, email or on the phone - the idea is
that you help someone learn your native language
in return for helping you with their native
language. It is an excellent way of (virtually)
meeting a native speaker and getting personalised FreePint Forthcoming Articles
help, for free. You make an agreement with your [Provisional]
tandem partner; for example, you may agree to
email once a week, half in your own language and • Market research sources on the web
half in the language of your partner - and then in • Blind web accessibility
your replies you correct each other's mistakes. • Project management
• Open Source Software
Aficionados of international cinema can also use • Delivering user education to a dispersed
films for language learning. When buying DVDs population
online, look carefully at the available subtitle • Managing change
options - depending on where you buy the DVD • Digital repositories
the options can change. For example, if you buy
• KM and blogging
region 2 DVDs from abroad, for example, from
Amazon Germany <http://www.amazon.de/>, you • Diabetes
may find you have many more subtitle options • Implementing new library management systems
than those you buy in the UK. The price difference,
even with the additional postage costs, is not If you have a suggestion for an article topic, or
prohibitive. You can then view in the original would like to write for FreePint, then please
language with subtitles in the same language - contact <penny.hann@freepint.com> or read
enabling you to follow the narrative without the notes for authors at
depending on English. <http://www.freepint.com/author.htm>.
Of course, it is not just DVDs that you can order
from abroad; you can also order books and music,
which in the past were difficult to get hold of
unless you had access to a specialist bookshop or
were visiting the country.
With opportunities available to watch, listen and
read in your target language, you don't need to
have 700 reasons for learning a language, with the
possibilities offered by the World Wide Web, there
is simply no reason not to try,
2nd February 2006 - Page 9 www.freepint.com/issues/020206.htm
10. tap into a world
of company
information
with
ORBIS
bvdep.com
11. Review
" Knowledge-based working: intelligent operating
for the knowledge age"
Reviewed by Jela Webb
The author Steve Ellis has a number of years
experience in Knowledge Based Working (KBW) both Jinfo :: Advertise information
as a practitioner and an academic. Drawing upon jobs to 4,000+ job seekers
personal experience, coupled with his doctoral
research studies, he has written a very readable text,
Advertising an information-related vacancy with
which focuses on the topic of 'knowledge work' from
Jinfo puts that position in front of 4,000 Jinfo
a human-relations perspective, rather than focusing
Newsletter subscribers and the entire FreePint
on KM from a technology-led perspective.
membership.
In the 'knowledge age', many organisations are
Find out more about listing a vacancy today:
facing challenges - their most important and
valuable assets are their people and theknowledge
<http://www.jinfo.com/>
they use in day-to-day operations. For many, this
Jela Webb, via her calls for new HR management techniques, and this
business, Azione, is a book is aimed at providing advice and guidance to
freelance strategic Chapters are interspersed with 'reflection points'
those who find themselves managing 'knowledge
advisor, consultant allowing the reader to consider issues raised and
workers', as well as those who need to have an
and trainer in each chapter concludes with a set of self-
appreciation of KBW to support their studies
information and assessment questions. The book contains some
(professional qualifications and continued
knowledge practical case study examples, drawn from the
professional development).
management, author's experience, and these are presented in a
working with private way that reinforces learning points.
The book is divided into four main chapters:
and public sector
clients. An associate The book is a slim volume (136 pages) and written
1. An introduction to Knowledge-Based Working -
of Ashridge, in a style that makes it accessible to both the
this covers definitions of KBW, how it is reflected in
Learnership and TFPL, novice and the expert. Ellis is a firm believer in the
today's organizations and what it may mean to
she has implemented positive benefits that KBW brings. He shows very
employees
KM programmes in clearly how the vast majority of us are being
FTSE 100 companies exposed to KBW in these changing times and how
2. Managing KBW and knowledge workers - this
and has a particular we might adapt to the new ways of working.
considers how knowledge workers should be
interest in how best 'managed' and how this differs from the ways in
to manage and which managers have traditionally managed and
motivate knowledge Related FreePint links:
motivated employees
workers.
3. The new rules of organisational behaviour for KBW • Find out more about this book online at the
She is also a Visiting - here, Ellis refers to a consultancy model to assist the FreePint Bookshelf
University and reader (practitioner) to complete further analysis of http://www.freepint.com/bookshelf/kbw.htm
Business School KBW - referred to as the "4C's" of KBW - Commitment, • Read customer comments and buy this book at
Lecturer and presents Culture, Confusion and Convergence Amazon.co.uk
at KM conferences. As http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/18
a writer, Jela has 4. The implications of KBW - in this final chapter, Ellis 43341212/freepint0c
contributed articles considers the immediate and future consequences of or Amazon.com
to KM journals and KBW from the perspectives of individuals, managers http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/184
last year published a and organisations. 3341212/freepint00
report 'KM for SMEs: • "Knowledge Based Working: Intelligent
Solutions and Readers will learn about the implications of the new Operating for the Knowledge Age" ISBN
Strategies'. knowledge economy, how KBW has the capacity to 1843341212, published by Chandos Publishing
affect all organisations, and what impact this will Oxford Ltd.
She may be have as KBW becomes the dominant model of • Search for and purchase any book from Amazon
contacted via working in the 21st century. The book also helps via the FreePint Bookshelf at
<http://www.azione.c senior managers and executives to understand how <http://www.freepint.com/bookshelf>
o.uk>. KM affects them, their employees and the broader • Read about other Internet Strategy books on the
organisation. Organisations that have focused FreePint Bookshelf
heavily on a KM systems approach will find this book <http://www.freepint.com/bookshelf/strategy.h
provides them with some tm>
alternative/complementary methods that will help to To propose an information-related book for
support their present KM activities. review, send details to
<support@freepint.com>.
2nd February 2006 - Page 11 www.freepint.com/issues/020206.htm
12. Free Pint Limited
4-6 Station Approach T: 0870 141 7474
Ashford, Middlesex I: +44 870 141 7474
TW15 2QN E: support@vivaVIP.com
VIP Eye
VIP Eye is a twice-monthly subscription-only email newsletter, providing insightful
current-awareness analysis of business information trends.
News analysis delivered by email twice monthly Testimonials
Editor's comment on developing trends in "... a great way to keep up-to-
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What's new - roundup of all "... an excellent bi-weekly
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Who's doing what and how
it affects you "VIP Eye keeps me updated with
the latest industry news - in a
Inside stories and upcoming very digestible format."
developments Communications manager,
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Now in HTML format for easy reading and usage.
Read more and subscribe at
www.vivaVIP.com/eye/
13. Feature Article
"Bar Orphans: Getting your
questions answered at the
FreePint Bar"
By Jane Macoustra
One reason the Bar is popular is that many
[The comments made in this article are solely the
professionals, who need information to do their
opinion of the author and are not representative of
work effectively, do not understand how to
any other person or company.]
undertake the research. But if the responses they
receive are off- topic from their real needs,
Why don't some questions get answered at the
requestors may feel frustrated by the experience
Bar?
as well as the answer provided. Yet they may not
realise that they need to frame their requests
I often log into the FreePint Bar
differently in order to get better results.
<http://www.freepint.com/bar/> to see what
questions are being asked, and I think the response
Asking a question
from the tippling community is very good. But I have
noticed that some of the questions end up with a
Many people start a query by thinking about what
long stream of responses, while other questions are
they expect the research results to be. This is not
all but ignored and turn into 'Bar Orphans' - lonely
necessarily the correct strategy to take when
queries with nary a response. My assumption has
formulating a question. For example, if you need
Jane Macoustra has been that the IT/technical type of questions
information on the shoe manufacturing industry in
over twenty five years generated the most responses.
the UK, you'd probably be expecting someone to
experience as an
send you a link to a shoe manufacturing
Information Not long ago, I decided to make a special effort to try
association portal. Fine, but what if you can
Professional, working to answer the unanswered Bar questions, as an
enhance that research by looking a bit closer at
for large corporations, exercise in keeping my research skills honed. When I
the industry? Rather than thinking about those
investment banks and began this process it occurred to me that maybe the
ideal end results, think laterally and divide the
law firms including one FreePint community didn't respond to some of the
industry up into sectors: children's shoes, women's
of the magic circle law questions because the questions themselves were, in
shoes, men's shoes, industrial wear, and (come to
firms. She has recently a sense, unanswerable.
think of it) where do the emergency services
worked in the public
obtain their footwear? Consider both the big
sector for a large Creating answerable questions -- information
picture and the details in order to come up with an
County Council, and in literacy
answer that is as valuable as possible. Look for the
the academic
bigger picture, otherwise the answer is quick and
community teaching One aspect of the discipline of information literacy is
dirty and does not hold as much value.
information literacy. knowing how to ask a question in such a way that a
During her career she researcher can respond without having to ask for
The sort of questions that requestors should ask
has covered every clarifications. Asking questions is a skill that comes
themselves, before taking any further steps, are:
aspect of librarianship. naturally to some; for others, however, it is not so
She runs her own easy.
consultancy business, • What do I need?
Tai-Pan Research. Many libraries and information centres rely on
systems for research requests that require the • Why do I need it?
Jane is a member of requestor to complete specific fields. These systems
CILIP, the AIIP and the allow the library or information centre to compile • How can I make the question more explicit? Is
Special Libraries statistical data on what work is being requested, as there more than one description (synonym) for
Association where she well as how much time is spent on the research what I need?
is currently serving as work; for institutions that charge back their time
the President for the and/or costs, this step is a must. They also ensure • Is there an acronym for what I am looking for?
Asian Chapter. Prior to that the researcher has basic, clear information
this, Jane also served as before the work commences. • What search terms would narrow down or
a Director for the SLA expand the results?
Asian Chapter. Sometimes the requestor does not have a clear idea
of what he/she really needs to complete the • What don't I want? Are there any antonyms that
assignment. Sometimes it's hard to know what you can describe what isn't required?
need until you know what's out there, but you can't
know what's out there until you start the research. • Is this a specialist subject?
2nd February 2006 - Page 13 www.freepint.com/issues/020206.htm
14. Feature Article
Related FreePint links • What additional information can I provide that may 1000 dictionaries indexed, and also has a great
assist the researcher? reverse look-up facility that is still in Beta testing
mode. Some of the dictionaries are specialised and
'Information and • Where have I have already looked? can assist with difficult topics.
Libraries' articles in the
FreePint Portal • Is all the spelling in my request correct? Also consider how the response to one question
<http://www.freepint.co can enable you to answer other questions. If you
m/go/p69> • Is the grammar in my request correct? need information for six countries/industries/legal
systems, etc., why not ask for information on just
A number of requests at the Bar for information have one area and then apply the information provided
Post a message to the proven unanswerable without additional to the rest of the other areas yourself? That way,
authors, Jane information, including: you learn more about what goes into a research
Macoustra, or suggest plan and can opt to do the work yourself - or at
further resources at the least be better informed about how to frame the
FreePint Bar • Region, country, county, or city
questions for best results. Bar responders are
<http://www.freepint.co • How recent the information needs to be generous in providing not just answers to
m/bar> • How detailed the information needs to be questions but guidance on sources, approaches,
and research know-how.
If the query was, for example, "information on the
Read this article online, development of the number of manufacturing jobs If you try the suggestions I have given above, you
with activated in Japan, China and India", the following information may eventually find that you have focused your
hyperlinks could be used to formulate the question: ideas enough to do the research yourself. If you
<http://www.freepint.co still prefer to ask, then at least you will know that
m/issues/020206.htm#fe Manufacturing what? you are asking as well as possible and not creating
ature> Manufacturing where? a Bar Orphan.
Competitors are who?
Litigation pending? Conclusion
Access the entire archive Good/bad press?
of FreePint content Statistics?
<http://www.freepint.co Unanswered questions languish at both the Bar
m/portal/content/> and the Student Bar, although the Student Bar
Then, the question could be asked as follows: does not appear to have as many non-
respondents. I suspect this could be mainly
"I need to locate statistical data on the number of because the students are usually asking for
jobs in the manufacturing of white goods/washing assistance with a subject for their dissertations and
machines/fridges/microwaves /tumble driers in not asking specific research questions. Still, some
Japan, China and India in the last two years to enable Student Bar questions go unanswered, which
me to see what trends are occurring within this suggests that although students have been
industry. I don't need this information for Macau, inducted at Higher Education level on how to use
Hong Kong or Taiwan. I have already checked on the library and what is available to them, some are
Google, but did not find much that was relevant". not attending the information literacy classes
which are freely available to them. A large number
The results you get depend entirely on what you ask of students expect to find everything they need on
for and how you ask for it. You may require a quick the Internet and don't appreciate the free use of
response or a more detailed answer. the proprietary databases that are available to
them while they are studying. Therefore, some
Before asking a question, it is a good idea to produce students struggle to use the databases and they
a mind map around a Venn diagram don't know the best way to formulate a question
<http://digbig.com/4gdet> of what you need, and for research assistance.
also a reverse mind map on the same page in a
different colour, showing what you don't need or Information practitioners are happy to assist at
what may be useful. A mind map would enable you both Bars, and frequently do so. Using the tips in
to formulate the questions posed above much more this article will help newcomers and veterans alike
easily. If you don't know enough about your subject, ask the kinds of questions we most love to devote
use a dictionary such as Onelook our (free) services and energies to: answerable
<http://www.onelook.com/>. Onelook has almost ones.
2nd February 2006 - Page 14 www.freepint.com/issues/020206.htm
15. Researcha gives you immediate pay- Recently Jinfo (pronounced 'Jin-fo')
as-you-go access to company data advertised job is the place to find and advertise
titles:
from the UK, Ireland, Austria, jobs in the information industry.
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Spain and Switzerland. Researcher advice from recruitment
Reference
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16. Events - Gold
Events Gold
United Kingdom: A look back at what FreePint covered at this time in
previous years:
• "Search Engine Marketing - Maximise the
Impact" 23rd February • FreePint No.176 10th February 2005.
<http://www.freepint.com/go/e634> "Understanding Consumers through
Online Competitive Intelligence" and "Child Rights:
• "Focusing on Data Protection & Privacy" 2nd Is Information really free for all?"
March <http://www.freepint.com/go/e624> <http://www.freepint.com/issues/100205.htm>
• "Working with Agencies - Fostering a Prosperous • FreePint No.153 5th February 2004. "Disintegrating
Working Relationship" 8th March Digital Fences: Finding Business Information in
<http://www.freepint.com/go/e658> Ukraine and its Neighbouring Countries" and "10
things you should know about the UK's Freedom
Canada: of Information regime"
<http://www.freepint.com/issues/050204.htm>
• "2006 Government & Health Technologies
Conference & Expo" 8th - 9th March • FreePint No.130 6th February 2003. "Online Library
<http://www.freepint.com/go/e620> Catalogues" and "Patent Searching Without Words
- Why Do It, How To Do It?"
<http://www.freepint.com/issues/060203.htm>
United States:
• FreePint No.105, 7th February 2002. "Business
• "Braintrust International 2006" 20th - 22nd Information in Germany" and "Pay Per Click Search
February <http://www.freepint.com/go/e656> Engines and Promoting your Website"
<http://www.freepint.com/issues/070202.htm>
• "Strategic & Operational Portfolio Management"
27th February - 1st March • FreePint No.80, 1st February 2001. "An adventure
<http://www.freepint.com/go/e654> in ADSL: the Superhighway finally becomes
'super'?" and "E-Books"
• "Linking Customer Feedback to Business Results" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/010201.htm>
27th February - 1st March
<http://www.freepint.com/go/e655> • FreePint No.55, 3rd February 2000. "Classical Music
Web Sites" and "Researching the Researchers -
• "Spring 2006 ASIDIC meeting" 12th - 14th March Finding Market Research Agencies on
<http://www.freepint.com/go/e619> the Web"
<http://www.freepint.com/issues/030200.htm>
• "Lean Design & Development" 12th - 15th
March <http://www.freepint.com/go/e652> • FreePint No.31, 4th February 1999. "Researching
from home" and "Internet Resources for Seniors"
• "Achieving Customer Service Excellence" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/040299.htm>
13th - 15th March
<http://www.freepint.com/go/e653> • FreePint No.7, 5th February 1998. "Fabricating
Information" and "Engineering resources:
• "JISC Conference 2006" 14th March examples and sources"
<http://www.freepint.com/go/e633> <http://www.freepint.com/issues/050298.htm>
Submit your event for free promotion:
<http://www.freepint.com/events/>
These are just a selection of the global events
listed on the FreePint Website at
<http://www.freepint.com/events>.
2nd February 2006 - Page 16 www.freepint.com/issues/020206.htm