03 Searching is Complex (Information Research)
Description
This article is from the Information Research FAQ, by David Novak david@spireproject.com with numerous contributions by others.
03 Searching is Complex (Information Research)
Your value as a searcher is directly related to the number of resources
you can reach for quickly, and your skill at phrasing a research
question. Consequently, as a searcher, you will work hard at building
ready access to a range of resources. You also work hard at
understanding the special characteristics of collections of
information.
The technical name for complex searching is 'Information Research'. I
prefer to think of information research as an effort to locate answers,
efficiently. Information Research is not vague browsing of available
information for something that interests you. It is not browsing the
library bookshelf or reading the newspaper, nor is it internet surfing.
Information research is searching with a purpose ... and it is hard
work.
Research is also an art form. The skills, tools, and resources we work
with are only the canvass and paints of an artist. Research extends
from commercial, legal, reporting, through the skills of interviewing,
database searching, and research analysis using books, articles,
experts and patents. Research is so large a field, involving so many
skills, tools and resources, you will quickly find you do not wish to
learn it all.
At the heart of information research lies a simple motto: "Someone,
somewhere, probably knows the answer."
To quote The Information Broker's Handbook (Sue Rugge and Alfred
Glossbrenner): "As information brokers, we shouldn't consider ourselves
capable of providing solutions... What we 'can' provide, and what sets
a really good information broker apart from the rest, are resources. We
can provide the client with the kinds of information he or she needs
... that make it possible for individuals to solve their problems."
Let this sink in. We are not experts in the field we are researching.
Collecting information on the moons of Jupiter? Do not pretend to be an
astronomer. We are only experts at the tools for gathering information.
A Quick Introduction to Effective Searching.
1) Searchers work hard to properly frame the question.
2) Searchers know the technology, know where to look.
3) Searchers know you can ask.
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