COMP I Search Strategies Interview Techniques

1. COMP ISearch StrategiesInterview Techniques Frederic Murray Assistant Professor MLIS, University of British Columbia BA, Political Science, University of Iowa Instructional Services Librarian Al Harris Library frederic.murray@swosu.edu

2. Catalogs, Databases, & Search Engines • A comprehensive list of the books, periodicals, maps, and other materials in a given collection. • A large, regularly updated file of digitized information related to a specific subject or field. • Computer software designed to help the user locate information available at sites on the World Wide Web by selecting categories from a hierarchical directory of subjects (example: Yahoo!) or by entering appropriate keywords or phrases (Google).

3. Search Techniques • Keyword • Basic Boolean

4. Identifying Keywords • Identify the significant terms and concepts that describe your topic from your thesis statement or research question. • These terms will become the key for searching catalogs, databases and search engines for information about your subject.

5. Research Question What degree should I pursue to live well in San Francisco?

6. Research Question What careershould I pursue to live well in San Francisco?

7. AND = Narrow OR = Expand Boolean • NOT = Exclude

8. Boolean Operators • Connect keywords only • Must be placedbetween keywords • AND • Narrows your search • OR • Expands your search with synonymous terms • NOT • Excludes words from your search • If used too much, it can work against you!

9. Class Exercise • Keyword Building Exercise Topic: Cyber Security Careers in California

10. Cyber Security Careers Digital Crime Opportunity Cyber Security Careers WWW Code Jobs

11. Databases • Academic Search Complete (EBSCO) • JSTOR • Business Source Complete (Career) Databases are Subject Specific

12. Class Exercise • Using Business Source Complete locate three articles on Cybersecurity Careers • Archive them in your online Folder

13. Conducting an Interview

14. Outline: 5 Steps • Setting up the interview • Preparing for the interview • Coming up with Questions • Meeting with your interviewee • Following up on your interview

15. Setting up the Interview • Contact the potential interviewee in advance & set time & place • Identify the topic that you will be discussing during the interview • Family History/Hometown/Career

16. Preparing for the Interview • Prepare a list of questions in advance • Find background information about the interviewee • Prioritize your questions and ask the most important questions first • Decide your goals for the interview

17. Coming Up with Questions • Ask yourself: “What do I need to know?” • Write a list of things you want to find out • Write a list of questions that will help your interviewee discuss this information

18. How to ask good questions • Ask leading questions rather than asking yes or no questions • Is Uncle John crazy ? (yes or no question) • Why did Uncle John live alone in that shack for so many years when he owned three houses? (leading question) • The response to a leading question will give you more detail to support your research

19. Developing Good Questions • Do as much research as possible in advance on the person and/or topic you are working on • Sources might include • Online Catalog (Ebooks) • Databases • World Wide Web • Prepare your questions in advance in writing and bring them to the interview.

20. Meeting the Interviewee • Always bring a stiff-backed notebook (and Pencils) • If you wish to tape-record your interview, always ask before doing so! • Keep notes on the interview, but make sure that you are still talking to the interviewee, not just scribbling

21. Recording Apps BE SURE YOU HAVE STORAGE SPACE

22. Library Equipment Resources • Circulating Multimedia Equipment & Useful Software • PMD620 is a rugged yet lightweight digital recorder (2) • Tabletop Microphone Included • Checkout for one day only

23. Meeting the Interviewee • Bring your prepared list of questions to the interview • Try to stick to the topic at hand, but be flexible if your interviewee brings up unexpected but valuable information

24. Following up the Interview • Always be sure to thank your interviewee, orally and in writing • Write your results soon after the interview while they are fresh in your mind • Let your interviewee review your findings in order to confirm that you have represented him/her accurately

25. Conducting an Interview • Conducting a successful interview involves attention to each of the following steps: • Making contact to setup the interview • Preparing for the interview • Meeting the interviewee • Following up on the interview

26. Class Exercise • Team up groups of 2-3 • Imagine you are interviewing someone from a county you have never visited. • Locate information on that country using: CIA World FactBook • Develop Three Leading Questions • Try them out on each other

27. Designing a Good PPT • 5 minute speech use 5-8 slides maximum (1 minute per slide) • Less is More ( only use 3-4 elements per slide) • Rely on visuals not text

28. The World of Knowledge • Evolving History of Writing • Evolving History of Libraries • Evolving History of Education

29. LibrariesOld & New

30. History of Writing • Add text

31. Questions? • Contact me: • Frederic Murray • 774-7113 • frederic.murray@swosu.edu

32. Thanks!