Success, a structured search strategy: Rationale, principles, and implications

Abstract

This study aimed at reevaluating the Success search strategy. It was conducted by in‐depth interviews with 15 professional information searchers in a three‐round Delphi‐type research. The panelists were asked to critically analyze the rationale of structured searching that forms the theoretical basis of the Success strategy, and evaluate its key principles and guidelines. Success is a strategy for structured searching. Its rationale is based on the argument that information searching is a sequence of interrelated actions aimed at accomplishing the search assignment. Every action determines the course of the searching, and thus affects its final result. The searcher's reasoning emerges as a key to the success of the searching process. Consequently, it is essential to adopt structured search strategies that are based on rational search procedures and techniques. The Success strategy is grounded in the principle of planning the search according to five basic successive phases, namely assignment, resources, words, method, and evaluation, and seven generic guidelines: (1) define the assignment, (2) locate resources, (3) choose search words, (4) select methodology, (5) execute the search, (6) evaluate the results, and (7) if necessary, repeat the search by refining previous decisions.

Information problem solving by experts and novices: analysis of a complex cognitive skill

“…Research within this field is focused on clarifying the process of searching and locating information (Hill, 1999;Hölscher & Strube, 2000;Lazonder, 2000Lazonder, , 2003Marchionini, 1995;Sutcliffe & Ennis, 1998;Zins, 2000). Especially the use of (electronic) information retrieval systems as a possible strategy in the collection of information is an important research topic within the domain of 'information-searching behavior' (Ingwersen, 1996;Spink, 1997).…”

Just in case, just in time, or just don't bother? Assessment of one-shot library instruction with follow-up workshops

“…Both groups have been given LI using the "success-method" (Zins, 2000) and are challenged to reflect upon their information needs and information behaviour. Libraries often use their LI time showing mechanical searching in different databases, while the success-method focuses on reflection and conscious choices of information channels.…”

La competencia mediática en personas mayores

“…La alfabetización mediática la define la Comisión Europea (2009) como la capacidad de consultar, comprender apreciar con sentido crítico y crear edmetic, 2 (2), 2013, E-ISSN: 2254-0059; pp. 112-129  edmetic, Revista de Educación Mediática y TIC estaban conectadas en entornos digitales (Cothey, 2002;Hargittai, 2002aHargittai, , 2002bWang, Hawk y YtenopiR, 2000;Zins, 2000).…”

“…Pero estos estudios suelen ser muy localizados, centrados en unas competencias muy determinadas y se encuentran limitados principalmente en la búsqueda de información (Marchionini, 1989;Zins, 2000), por lo que no se desarrolla en estudios globales de alfabetización mediática. España no es ajena a estos cambios mundiales, durante los últimos años se han producido cambios en este sentido.…”