Stepping stones to synergy: Social Q&A and virtual reference [ASIST 2011 panel]

Abstract

Virtual reference (VR) and social Q&A (SQA), both refer to some form of information seeking activity using online Q&A. They are often seen as apples and oranges, but there is a need to understand their similarities and differences in order to derive lessons from each side to help the other. The proposed panel will bring together prominent researchers from both service types to discuss how we could bridge the gap between VR and SQA in order to explore unique opportunities such synergic movement brings forth, including possible new forms arising from merged influences of mobile technologies, social media, video conferencing, and virtual worlds.