Understanding reference transactions transforming an art into a science

• Other Authors: Richardson, John V., 1949-
• Format: Electronic
• Language: English
• Published: San Diego, Calif. : Academic Press, c2002.
• Series: Library and information science (New York, N.Y.) ; v. 2.
• Subjects: Reference services (Libraries); Interviewing.; Language Arts & Disciplines > Library & Information Science > General.; Reference > General.; Library & information sciences.; elektronické knihy; electronic books
• ISBN: 0125877803 (acid-free paper); 9781849507974 (electronic bk.) :
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (xviii, 208 p.) : ill.
• ISSN: 1876-0562

The goal of this book is to improve reference service in libraries and information centers, by improving the accuracy of answering capabilities. The authors provide a detailed analysis of the question-answering process and methods of evaluating the completeness, usefulness, user satisfaction, and accuracy of the information provided. This is an important contribution to library studies, and it will be a useful textbook for teaching references courses in library schools. Powerful research models help explain what is happening in the reference transaction. It encompasses a comprehensive review of the research literature. It offers a unique systems analysis of the reference transaction and includes a detailed appendix of the concepts, operational definitions, and research variables used to measure outcomes as well as statistical results from all known prior studies.