Information Seeking – Like Driving a Car
I once heard from another librarian that teaching strategies for searching a database is similar to teaching how to drive a car. This analogy has stuck with me and happens to fit perfectly with this activity. For me, this analogy means that I should focus on the overarching skills and techniques rather than the intricacies of each database, the same way you wouldn’t teach someone how to drive a Toyota, then how to drive a BMW. The main skills are the same, the buttons and knobs may just be in a different place.
For searching skills and techniques, some of the main ones that are transferrable are:
- using keywords and synonyms for the majority of searches (as opposed to full sentences and questions)
- refining searches based on search results
- using filters, controlled vocabulary, and search operators
- make use of browsing and other serendipitous methods of information seeking
- persistence when information seeking
These skills can be used in pretty much any resource whether it’s a specific database or the open web and are skills and behaviours that I try to instill in students when teaching about searching for information.
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