The Reference Process

IS 530

Spring 2006

Dr. D. Bilal

Reference Service

Aims at satisfying specific recurrent information needs.

A series of decision-making steps– from receipt of a user’s request to communication

of an answer or tools that may provide the answer

The Reference Process

Techniques and approaches to answer questions may vary.

Process of satisfying an information need has common principles regardless of age.

The Reference Process

Steps – Query receipt– Query message– Decision to negotiate or not negotiate the query– Thinking of types of answer-providing tools– Thinking of appropriate Titles within tools

The Reference Process

– Translation of query into the language of the system(s) used

– Conducting a search – Selecting the answer or guide to sources that may

provide the answer– Soliciting feedback and renegotiate, if necessary

Query Message

Each reference query contains at least 2 components:

the subject (the given) the information needed about the subject (the wanted)

Example: What is the substance of the Patriot Act? Given: patriot act Wanted: meaning; content

Descriptors for the Given

Abbreviation Organization (named) Person (named) Place (named) Term or subject Specific publication

Descriptors for the Wanted

Date Illustration Numeric information

– measurements, counts, etc.

Organization Person Address/location

Descriptors for the Wanted

Publication:– A citation (known vs. unknown item) – A document location

Textual information– Definition

Descriptors for the Wanted

Recommendation – Review, product, book

Background information on a topic

Brainstorming Question

Why do users submit questions that require mediation?

Taylor’s 4 Levels of Need

Q1- Visceral need: the information need is present but has not been consciously expressed within the individual’s mind.

The user experiences a vague feeling of uneasiness that he/she know something that he/she does not know.

Taylor’s 4 Levels of Need

Q2- Conscious need: the user recognizes the information need. The need is translated into a formal statement in the user’s mind.

Q3 - Formalized need: the need is described in concrete terms and expressed to the information professional, if this route is taken in seeking a solution.

Taylor’s 4 Levels of Need

Q4- Compromised need: the query asked may be modified according to the user’s expectations of the library and information professional.

If the user asks the question at stage 1 or 2, or when he/she has not clearly defined the need, the query will most likely be vague and will, therefore, require negotiation.

Queries Needing Mediation

Queries with subject that are not recognized by the information professional or by the requestor.

Queries that are ambiguous or incomplete. Queries that do not identify the amount of

information needed.

Queries Needing Mediation

Queries that do not indicate the level of answer needed.

Queries that do not indicate language, time period, place, or type of publication needed.

Remember that not all queries have answers in the literature.

Mediation Techniques

Use open-ended questions in the initial stages of the interview.

Use closed questions toward the end of the interview.

Be objective about the subject of the query. Encourage patron to discuss his/her

information need.

Mediation Techniques

Give the patron your full attention. Make the patron feel at ease. Follow the patron’s train of thought. Keep eye contact with the patron. Pay attention to the patron’s nonverbal cues.

Mediation Techniques

Summarize/paraphrase the patron’s query to ensure mutual understanding.

Do not be too quick to determine that the query cannot be answered.

Do not interrupt the patron while discussing his/her information need.

Mediation Techniques

Open-ended questions begin with words such as:– when, where, how, who, what

Closed questions usually give a choice between two possibilities: – yes or no

Class Activity

A. Identify whether these queries require mediation

B. What questions would you ask to clarify those requiring mediation?

1. What is the mailing address of the Library of Congress?2. Do you have anything on technology?3. Where is the farmer’s almanac?4. Do you have a fiction section? 5. I need a list of Hemingway’s novels and the publication date of each.

6. Do you know how to address a congressman?

7. Do you have articles about how to use the Internet?

User Mediation and Conducting Searches

See Web notes about guidelines for mediating user information needs prior to conducting a search using databases and/or search engines.