Online Searching and the Research Process

Abstract

Despite evidence that researchers seek information in ways which are quite different from a logical, linear search strategy model, librarians persist in relating to the information-seeking process as if it were static and product oriented. Even online searching, which is generally considered to be flexible and interactive, is viewed merely as an alternate method of compiling a bibliography. The bibliography is considered a fixed and final product to be measured exclusively according to the limited variables of recall and precision. By having such a restricted view of online searching and its potential benefits to researchers, librarians fail to take full advantage of their role in the academic research community. If librarians wish to be relevant to researchers and to offer valuable services to an important constituency, they must fully understand the organic nature of research and the ways that scholars seek information. They must further understand and facilitate the significant way that online searching can contribute to and enhance the research process.