Standards for Literature Searching: Validation of a Proposed Model for Search Methods

Objectives: Through three years of iterative literature review, research and development, a pan-Canadian group of librarians have outlined model search methods for handling each of five progressive levels of search complexity, supported by a lexicon glossary for mediated literature searching collect...

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Veröffentlicht in:The journal of the Canadian Health Libraries Association 2018-01, Vol.39 (2), p.113-114
Hauptverfasser: Scott, Brooke Ballantyne, Farrell, Ashley, MacDonald, Jackie, Baer, Susan, Vaska, Marcus, Lee, Pat, Rabb, Danielle
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Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:Objectives: Through three years of iterative literature review, research and development, a pan-Canadian group of librarians have outlined model search methods for handling each of five progressive levels of search complexity, supported by a lexicon glossary for mediated literature searching collected from the literature. This online questionnaire seeks to compare what mediated searchers 'should do' with what they actually do. Methods: As Part 2 of a multi-methods research study, our online questionnaire asked mediated searchers (n=104) to choose one of 13 exemplary searches and describe how they handled a recent similar search. Responses were analyzed by search level in subgroups defined by mediated searchers' years of experience searching, and number of searches completed weekly. Data were then represented graphically to illustrate congruency within and between groups, and between questionnaire respondents and the model. Incongruities were flagged and addressed through reflexivity and consultation. Results: The results of our online questionnaire were analysed and any incongruities between our placement and inclusion of certain steps within the search stages and the questionnaire responses were debated as a group. Preliminary questionnaire analysis suggests that mediated searchers may not always tailor search methods to search complexity, possibly 'over-searching' or 'under-searching' as a result. Inconsistencies within and between subgroups as defined by years of experience suggest inconsistencies in search education/training. Some respondents indicated uncertainty with search terms. Conclusions: This questionnaire study highlights inconsistencies in approaches used by mediated search professionals. Although client satisfaction with mediated search services has been reported in research literature, professional searchers have worked.
ISSN:1708-6892
DOI:10.29173/jchla29379