Online Searching: A Guide to Finding Quality Information Efficiently and Effectively

by Karen Markey

Online Searching puts the aspiring librarian on the fast track to becoming an expert searcher who unites library users with trusted sources of information to answer their questions.

To accomplish this, it ushers you through online searching as a seven-step process:
(1) determining what the user really wants in the reference interview,
(2) identifying sources that are likely to produce relevant information for the user's query,
(3) dividing the query into big ideas and combining them logically,
(4) hypothesizing whether a known item or a subject will satisfy the query,
(5) representing the query as input to the search system,
(6) conducting the search and responding strategically, and
(7) displaying retrievals, assessing them, and responding tactically.

For key concepts, Online Searching enlists multimedia, representing visually what is difficult to convey via words alone. When you analyze Online Searching's real search topics, search online, and compare your results with its suggested answers, you'll experience the seven-step online searching process first-hand. Included are specific recommendations about what you should teach end users about online searching and a method for quickly and efficiently familiarizing yourself with a new database and search system.

Including short video demonstrations, Online Searching is your go-to guidebook for ramping yourself up from novice to expert searcher.

Genres: Nonfiction, Textbooks, Research, Read For School, Grad School, Librarianship

324 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 23, 2015

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read! It was extremely helpful for my class on online searching. Markey teaches readers proper techniques and shortcuts when you use an online database, website, and other online tools. At some points, the book can be dense but if you preserve through it and apply what she writes, you learn how to be an effective searcher. After reading this book, I would recommend it to my library friends.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great resource for anyone looking for more practice and instruction on how to conduct in depth searches online in the open web and through databases available through their local libraries.

[Michele Peoples · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly definitive textbook written with reference library students in mind.

[Mary Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good resource for more advanced search techniques and how to break down reference questions into database queries. Text from MLIS course on information organization and search.

[Anna Latimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative reading on the subject of information retrieval.

[Rusty del Norte · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first part of the book is good for those who are not familiar with the history of searching. As we go into the 'core' of the book, I found parts to be not quite as informative. I would've liked more information on boolean searching and tools.

Overall, it;s OK.