06 Step Three: Know You Can Ask (Effective Information Searching)
Description
This article is from the Information Research FAQ, by David Novak david@spireproject.com with numerous contributions by others.
06 Step Three: Know You Can Ask (Effective Information Searching)
There is very little mystery about professional research. Lots of
people are experienced in different aspects of this field. My personal
weak point is in direct interviewing where as I am a pioneer in
secondary resource research. This is OK. In fact I use this liberally
to determine the skill of professional researchers - do they know their
own limits? The field is much too large to be an expert in all its
aspects.
The positive site to this is many people welcome requests for help. I
enjoy asking librarians questions. I also ask my customers, my
suppliers and other professional researchers. Never get caught in the
trap of feeling you know what to do. The joy in this profession is that
most people do not expect you to be an expert in their field, just an
expert in your field: particularly the meta-resources. Even if it
requires a polite reminder, customers will appreciate you asking them
for likely keywords in difficult searches. I always make a habit of
asking librarians if I am missing something. A librarian is always
fluent in their collections and I frequently locate real gems this way.
(As an example, my state library arranges computer books in two sets,
one Dewey and another in an alternative structure. Who would have
guessed?)
Especially if you are just a student, always keep your ears open. You
will frequently find yourself in the presence of some expert in some
facet of research telling you something you already know. Consider
carefully before you interject... Your expert may be about to explain
something new to you.
Information research is a dedication to learning. At its heart is a
collection of specific research skills, an awareness of research tools,
and a gifted mind. - Oh, and a large amount of coffee. Without
knowledge of and access to relevant research-worthy resources, your
research will be severely limited and doubtful. This is why much of
your work becoming an effective researcher involves learning about the
resources and meta-resources for your field. Much of our work in the
Spire Project is drawing your attention to relevant resources.
Before we progress to specific resources for specific formats (books,
webpages, news), let us attack head on the role of the internet in
information research. This should surprise you.
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