A Guide to Library Research Methods

With today's information explosion, students, job hunters, professionals, and researchers urgently need more than just an annotated bibliography to guide them through the bewildering maze of resources now available. Responding to this need, Thomas Mann--a reference librarian at the Library of Congress--offers us A Guide to Library Research Methods. Introducing a distinctive, new approach to the fact-finding process, this book provides not only an exceptional overview of the range of material that exists, but, more importantly, a detailed discussion of both the advantages and disadvantages of using each type of source. Mann's problem-solving technique emphasizes seven different research methods that researchers can apply to any inquiry. Used as a set of easily remembered "mental pegs," these methods enable individuals to get further into a subject more quickly, with less wasted effort. The seven research methods described include subject heading inquiries, systematic browsing, key word and citation searches, use of bibliographies, computer searches, and talking to people. A Guide to Library Research Methods should be required reading for every individual who has ever asked the question, "Where should I start looking to find out about this?"