This chapter discusses determining information needs and accessing information sources. It explains the research process of defining an information need, developing main and focused research questions, and differentiating between primary and secondary sources. The chapter also describes various library information sources such as books, periodicals, reference materials, and multimedia resources. It covers accessing information through the online public access catalog, databases, the internet, and professional organizations.

1. Chapter 2
Determining the
Information You
Need

2. Chapter Topics
• The Research Process
• Primary and Secondary Information Sources
• Library Information Sources
• Information Retrieval Systems
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3|2

3. The Big Picture
Now that you have a foundational knowledge of
information literacy, including an understanding of
its importance, the next step is to explore the
actions that lead to efficient use of information.
This chapter focuses on methods for defining and
obtaining the information you need.
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3|3

4. Learning Objectives
• Explain the need for a main research question
and relevant, focused research questions.
• Develop effective main research questions and
focused research questions.
• Differentiate between primary and secondary
information sources.
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3|4

5. Learning Objectives (cont’d)
• Explain various ways information to present
information.
• Explain various ways to access information.
• Identify and describe 21st-century information
sources.
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3|5

6. Case In Point Questions
• How well do you think you could determine the
kind and extent of the information you need to
accomplish your information goal?
• How effective do you think you would be at
creating a research question and focused
questions to guide your research?
• What specific types of resources could you use
to find the information you need?
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3|6

7. The Research Process
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3|7

8. Step 1: Define the need.
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3|8

9. Main Research Question
Effective Research Questions
• What effect does divorce have on academic achievement in
elementary school children?
• How did the Electoral College affect the outcome of the 2000
presidential election?
• What are the differences between the various processors available
for computers?
Why are these effective research
questions?
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3|9

10. Main Research Question
Ineffective Research Questions
• Who was Benjamin Franklin?
• Should older people be allowed to drive?
• Does the United States have a good foreign policy?
Why are these ineffective research
questions?
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 10

11. Focused Research Questions
Main Research Question
• Does exercise level positively or negatively impact food
consumption in obese individuals?
Effective Focused Questions
• What is the definition of an obese individual?
• What is the definition of exercise?
• How is exercise measured?
• Do obese individuals who increase their level of exercise increase
or decrease their food intake measured in calories?
• What level of exercise shows a change in food intake?
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 11

12. Primary and Secondary
Information Sources
• Primary information sources: Those sources
closest to the actual event, time period, or
individual in question.
• Secondary information sources: Those
sources removed from the primary source that
examine, interpret, or reflect on the primary
source information to restate or reuse the
information.
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 12

13. Primary and Secondary
Information Sources
Primary Secondary
• Memoirs • Books and textbooks
• • Review articles
Diaries
• Scientific reports
• Autobiographies
• Technical reports
• Interviews • Conference papers and proceedings
• Public records • Handbooks
• Transcripts • Databases
• Correspondences • Catalogues
• Discussions • News analyses
• Minutes • Dictionaries and encyclopedias
• Newspaper reports • Magazine articles
• Surveys • Video and audio tapes,
CD-ROMS, and DVDS that
• Government documents have been edited
• Artifacts
• Literature
• Photographs and art
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 13

14. Library Information Sources
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 14

15. Books: Fiction and Nonfiction
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 15

16. Reference Resources
• Reference desk
• Reference
librarian
• Reference source
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 16

17. Encyclopedias
• Encyclopedia: A collection of detailed articles
on a wide range of subjects.
What general and subject-specific
encyclopedias are useful in your specific
field of study?
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 17

18. Dictionary
• Dictionary: An alphabetical listing of words used
for quick search of word or topic to find meaning,
spelling, and pronunciation.
What general and subject-specific
dictionaries are useful in your specific field
of study?
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 18

19. Directories
• Directory: A collection of data that is organized
to easily access information.
What directories are useful in your specific
field of study?
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 19

20. Almanacs
• Almanac: A publication that provides statistics,
lists, figures, tables, and facts for a specific area.
What almanacs are useful in your specific
field of study?
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 20

21. Atlases
• Atlas: A collection of geographical, historical,
and other descriptive information.
What atlases are useful in your specific field
of study?
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 21

22. Indexes
• Index: An alphabetical list that can be used to
find information within a source.
What kinds of indexes are useful in your
specific field of study?
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 22

23. Ready References
• Ready reference: Resource typically kept at the
reference desk in a library because of its
frequent use.
What ready references might you use at the
library?
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 23

24. Concordance
• Concordance: An alphabetical list of the most
pertinent words in a given text and a notation of
where they are found within that text.
When might you use a concordance?
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 24

25. Handbooks
• Handbook: Provides concise data in table or
chart form on a specialized subject area.
What handbooks are used in your field of
study?
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 25

26. Thesaurus
• Thesaurus: A collection of synonyms, near-
synonyms, antonyms, phrases, and slang terms
for words.
When might you use a thesaurus in your
field of study?
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 26

27. Manual
• Manual: Provides detailed and “how to”
information on very specific topics.
What manuals might you use in your field of
study?
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 27

28. Style Manual
• Style manual: A writing guide that provides
guidelines for writing mechanics and
documentation format.
What style manual is commonly used in
your field of study?
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 28

29. Periodicals
• Periodical: A resource published on a regular or
recurring basis.
What are three periodicals you read
regularly?
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 29

30. Scholarly Journals
• Scholarly journals: A periodical published by
an educational institution or professional
association containing peer-reviewed articles
and other information.
What scholarly journals apply to your field of
study?
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 30

31. Popular Magazines
• Popular magazines: A periodical published
commercial entity providing information on
topics of interest to the general public.
What popular magazines apply to your field
of study?
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 31

32. Trade Publications
• Trade publications: A periodical published for a
specific industry or business.
What trade publications are written for your
field of study?
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 32

33. Newspapers
• Newspapers: A periodical published for a local,
regional, national, or international venue to
cover events and news.
What newspapers would be good to read to
help you succeed in your career? Why?
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 33

34. Multimedia
• Multimedia: A form other than print for library
resources.
What kinds of multimedia might you use
from the library in your field of study?
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 34

35. Information Retrieval Systems
• Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC)
• Databases
• The Internet
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 35

36. Internet Terms
• WWW (World Wide
Web)
• Web site Common Plugins
• Web page
Flash
• URL Quicktime
• Plug-in Acrobat Reader
• Home page RealMedia
ieSpell
• Navigation bar
AdShield
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 36

37. Internet Terms
• Web browser Common Browsers
• Search engines
• Metasearch engines Netscape Navigator
Internet Explorer
Mozilla
Mozilla Firefox
What is your favorite search
engine? Why? Opera
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 37

38. Internet Subject Directories
• Subject directory: A collection of links to a
large number of Internet resources, typically
highly organized.
What Internet subject directories are useful
in your field of study?
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 38

39. Online Reference Resources
• Refdesk
• Questia
• Merriam-Webster Online
• Gove Dictionary of Art
• Encyclopedia.com
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
What online reference resources are useful
in your field of study?
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 39

40. Online Periodicals
• Online periodicals: Full-text (or abstract only)
presentations of periodicals accessible online
free or for a fee.
What online periodicals are available for
your field of study?
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 40

41. Web Portal or Gateway
• Web portal: A site on the Internet that provides
links to many different kinds of information.
What Web portals are available and useful
for your field of study?
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 41

42. Professional or Trade Organizations
• Professional or Trade Organizations: Groups
of professionals with similar interests or
positions.
What professional or trade organizations
focus on your field of study?
Which ones should you belong to?
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 42

43. Chapter Summary
• The Research Process
• Primary and Secondary Information Sources
• Library Information Sources
• Information Retrieval Systems
Copyright 2012 Wadsworth © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3 | 43