The search process is the portion of the transaction in which behavior and accuracy intersect. Without an effective search, not only is the desired information unlikely to be found, but students may become discouraged as well. Many aspects of searching that lead to accurate results are dependent on our behaviour.
What we can do:
- We find out what the student has already tried, and encourage them to contribute his/her ideas.
- We construct a competent and complete search strategy.
- Select search terms that are most relevant to the information desired.
- Verify spelling and other possible factual errors in the original query.
- Identify appropriate sources that are most likely to contain information relevant to the patron's query.
- We explain the search strategy to the patron.
- We work with the student to evaluate results, revise search terms, and identify other sources to try if the search is unsuccessful.
- We work with the student to narrow or broaden the topic when too little or too much information is identified.
- We offer pointers, detailed search paths, and names of resources used to find the answer, so that the student can learn to answer similar questions on his/her own, when appropriate.
- We recognize when to refer the student for more help. This might mean a referral to a subject librarian, writing support, or counselling service.
