NSW public library wiki

User Tools

Site Tools

Trace:
module_4_search_strategies_ref-ex

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision
Next revision		Previous revision
module_4_search_strategies_ref-ex [2023/10/30 20:15] – ita_hanssensmodule_4_search_strategies_ref-ex [2024/04/16 21:52] (current) – ellen.forsyth_sl.nsw.gov.au
Line 31: Line 31:
 Once you know what the patron needs you can start the search. Once you know what the patron needs you can start the search.
  
-How you think about getting the answer (your search strategy) directs the methods and actual resources you will use see [[module_5_reference_resources_ref-ex|Module 5 Reference resources]]. For remote reference the standards are the same.+How you think about getting the answer (your search strategy) directs the methods and actual resources you will use see [[module_5_reference_resources_ref-ex|Module 5 Reference resources]]. For remote reference the methods are the same.
  
 **Start broadly, break into parts, then narrow the search.** **Start broadly, break into parts, then narrow the search.**
Line 54: Line 54:
 When using online search engines choose carefully. Different search engines will deliver different results. Know how search engines work, how to narrow or broaden searches and how to use a search engine's advanced searching techniques. For more precise searching see [[https://wiki.libraries.nsw.gov.au/doku.php?id=module_4_search_strategies_ref-ex#look_it_up | Look it up]].  When using online search engines choose carefully. Different search engines will deliver different results. Know how search engines work, how to narrow or broaden searches and how to use a search engine's advanced searching techniques. For more precise searching see [[https://wiki.libraries.nsw.gov.au/doku.php?id=module_4_search_strategies_ref-ex#look_it_up | Look it up]]. 
  
-With books, be familiar with standard reference source access points such as a table of contents index or user guide.+With books, be familiar with standard reference source access points such as a table of contents, index or user guide.
  
  
Line 99: Line 99:
 You may want to explore further by reading [[https://indyreads.libraries.nsw.gov.au/info/fake-news-and-alternative-facts-information-literacy-in-a-post-truth-era-00007370|Cooke, Nicole A (2018)]]. //Fake news and alternative facts : information literacy in a post-truth era//. ALA Editions, Chicago You may want to explore further by reading [[https://indyreads.libraries.nsw.gov.au/info/fake-news-and-alternative-facts-information-literacy-in-a-post-truth-era-00007370|Cooke, Nicole A (2018)]]. //Fake news and alternative facts : information literacy in a post-truth era//. ALA Editions, Chicago
  
-You can watch a video of Nicole A Cooke talking at the NSW public library reference seminar in 2022.+You can watch a video of Dr Nicole A Cooke talking at the NSW public library reference seminar in 2022.
 {{youtube>sBe0ZXWTx_E}}  {{youtube>sBe0ZXWTx_E}} 
  
Line 182: Line 182:
  
   * Your library catalogue is an example of an index which helps you find library resources.   * Your library catalogue is an example of an index which helps you find library resources.
-  * There are indexes which help you locate parts of works such as magazine articles (ANZ Reference Centre, MasterFILE Premier) or novels (Novelist). Note: often full text of titles will be available in the same database as the index. Most of the above are full text.+  * There are indexes which help you locate parts of works such as magazine articles (Gale OneFile: Australia and New Zealand) or novels (Gale Books and Authors and Novelist). Note: often full text of titles will be available in the same database as the index. Most of the above are full text.
   * There are also indexes to individual works, for example recipe and gardening books often contain indexes.   * There are also indexes to individual works, for example recipe and gardening books often contain indexes.
  
Line 189: Line 189:
 To use any index effectively, including the catalogue, follow these steps. To use any index effectively, including the catalogue, follow these steps.
  
-  * Try looking up the most specific term first. Example, 'blue macaw' - try 'macaws' or 'Parrots'.+  * Try looking up the most specific term first. Example, 'blue macaw' - try 'macaws' or 'parrots'.
   * Then try a synonym, example, if there is no entry under 'money' try 'currency'.   * Then try a synonym, example, if there is no entry under 'money' try 'currency'.
   * Then try to broaden the search term. Example, if you are looking aloe vera and find nothing under 'aloe vera', broaden to 'succulents'.   * Then try to broaden the search term. Example, if you are looking aloe vera and find nothing under 'aloe vera', broaden to 'succulents'.
Line 204: Line 204:
  
  
-  * Australia New Zealand Reference Centre (ANZREF) [[https://www.nswnet.net/|or other NSWnet databases you have access to]]+  * Gale OneFile: Australia and New Zealand [[https://www.nswnet.net/|or other NSWnet databases you have access to]]
   * An encyclopaedia such as World Book or Britannica - it may be online   * An encyclopaedia such as World Book or Britannica - it may be online
   * A dictionary    * A dictionary 
Line 334: Line 334:
   * What is the result for your patron if you use old information?   * What is the result for your patron if you use old information?
   * What is the result for your patron if you use only one source of information and it is not the most complete source?   * What is the result for your patron if you use only one source of information and it is not the most complete source?
-  * What problems did you encounter in your search? i.e. Is the information being behind a paywall.+  * What problems did you encounter in your search? i.e. Is the information behind a paywall.
  
 1. Look up the population of Australia and the population of New Zealand. 1. Look up the population of Australia and the population of New Zealand.
Line 418: Line 418:
  
   - Which of the resources you've been working with earlier in this module has information on the population of your town, your local government area or the state? Where else might you look?    - Which of the resources you've been working with earlier in this module has information on the population of your town, your local government area or the state? Where else might you look? 
-  - Without using ABS resources, how might you discover information about your local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community groups? What language or dialect do they use? What is the name, and where can you contact your local Aboriginal Land Councils?+  - Without using ABS resources, how might you discover information about your local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community groups? What language do they use? What is the name of the language, and where can you contact your local Aboriginal Land Council/s?
   - What resources might you use to locate a snake catcher or the winner of the local camp drafting competition?   - What resources might you use to locate a snake catcher or the winner of the local camp drafting competition?
   - Is there someone in your library or in your community who would have this information?    - Is there someone in your library or in your community who would have this information? 
Line 442: Line 442:
 Libraries often use community information directories. These directories are indexed by standard keywords describing the kinds of help offered. [[http://www.datadiction.com.au/lincs/|LINCS]] is an example of a community information directory. Your community information may be collated using a different system for example    [[https://sacommunity.org/|SA Directory of Community Services]]  Libraries often use community information directories. These directories are indexed by standard keywords describing the kinds of help offered. [[http://www.datadiction.com.au/lincs/|LINCS]] is an example of a community information directory. Your community information may be collated using a different system for example    [[https://sacommunity.org/|SA Directory of Community Services]] 
  
-A complex information need (for example, looking after a relative with a head injury) may be met by a combination of things:+A complex information need (for example, looking after a relative with a head injury) may be met by a combination of sources:
  
   * Make sure the person has sought medical advice.   * Make sure the person has sought medical advice.
Line 485: Line 485:
 When you are searching for information you should: When you are searching for information you should:
  
-  * note the books/subject headings/search terms,  +  * Note the books/subject headings/search term.  
-  * note the online sources and other resources you use.  +  * Note the online sources and other resources you use.  
-  * note the subject headings you use in working with databases and the inclusive dates of the databases you check. List the specific database titles you use. +  * Note the subject headings you use in working with databases and the inclusive dates of the databases you check. List the specific database titles you use. 
   * Do not record a statement like "all the books here" or "all our antique books," in case the question must be referred to another library. Call numbers may not be helpful at the next level either, but the author's last name and the book's title should be enough to identify the source for most purposes.    * Do not record a statement like "all the books here" or "all our antique books," in case the question must be referred to another library. Call numbers may not be helpful at the next level either, but the author's last name and the book's title should be enough to identify the source for most purposes. 
   * You can print or e-mail a list from the catalogue.   * You can print or e-mail a list from the catalogue.
Line 519: Line 519:
 If you are moving about the library with a patron, explain to them where you are going, what you are doing and why. If you are moving about the library with a patron, explain to them where you are going, what you are doing and why.
  
-Patrons can add valuable refining information to aid in your search if you explain how and where you are looking and often appreciate the chance to learn more about the library. This will build on the reference interview defined in [[Module 2 Reference interview skills and question types ref-ex]].+Patrons can add valuable refining information to aid in your search if you explain how and where you are looking and often appreciate the chance to learn more about the library. This will build on the reference interview defined in //Module 2: Reference interview skills and question types// [[module_2_reference_interview_skills_and_question_types_ref-ex|Reference interview defined]]
  
 The following are some helpful phrases and tips to keep the patron informed about the progress of an ongoing search, The following are some helpful phrases and tips to keep the patron informed about the progress of an ongoing search,
  
-  * "I'm going to check the online database of magazine articles now to see if we can find an article about your subject.+  * "I'm going to check the online database of magazine articles now to see if we can find an article about your subject."
   * "Let's look in the phone book to see if we can find that address."   * "Let's look in the phone book to see if we can find that address."
   * "I'll need to be away from the phone for a minute while I check the shelves."   * "I'll need to be away from the phone for a minute while I check the shelves."
module_4_search_strategies_ref-ex.1698714932.txt.gz · Last modified: 2023/10/30 20:15 by ita_hanssens