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Title:
"Real World Research Skills: An Introduction to Factual, International, Judicial, Legislative, and Regulatory Research"
Review:
Do you need proof that great things do indeed come in small packages?
Real World Research Skills begins with a chapter on information
literacy skills and evaluation, which are the building blocks for
formulating basic questions and making informed decisions. Peggy
Garvin states in the introduction that this book will cover United
States government online sources for factual, international, judicial,
legislative and regulatory sources. She sticks to this topic and uses
practical examples from current legislative and regulatory websites. I
was familiar with the majority of the websites presented and the links
are current and up to date.
Garvin is well suited to write this book. She has a Master's degree in
Library Science from Syracuse University and over 20 years experience
in libraries. She edits the "United States Government Internet Manual"
(Lanham, MD : Bernan Press, c2006), contributes to "The Congressional
Deskbook", (Alexandria, VA : TheCapitol.Net, Inc., c2005), and writes
a monthly column, The Government Domain, for LLRX.
Her book is easy to read and uses an outline form. Icons alert the
reader to features such as the search guide, research tips,
information resources, a checklist and reference information. Special
features include charts, graphs and illustrations of the legislative
process, the judicial system and regulatory system. Links to
tutorials, processes and rulemaking, and search tips for selected
government sites are included. The book is well indexed, which is
essential in a reference book. The supplementary 12-page Table of Web
Sites adds extra value.
Because a novice researcher often needs to consult state and
international resources guides to track legislation effectively, "Real
World Research Skills" provides them with accurate direction. Expert
and insider information, advice and tips include when to consult a
person as an information source, how to plan an information gathering
call and how to obtain the information you need during the
conversation.
"Real World Research Skills" is as thorough as other books on this
topic:
- "U.S. Government on the Web: Getting the Information You Need", by
Peter Hernon, Robert E. Dugan, & John A. Shuler, Westport, CT.,
Libraries Unlimited, 2003.
- "Government Online: One-Click Access to 3,400 Federal and State Web
Sites", by John Maxymuk, New York, Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2001.
- "Government Information on the Internet", by Greg R. Notess & Peggy
Garvin, Lanham, MD., Bernan, 2002). It is also very current,
although Google's U.S. Government Search
http://www.google.com/ig/usgov has replaced Google's Uncle Sam
http://www.google.com/unclesam since its publication.
Little wonder, considering TheCapitol.Net is the book's publisher,
which has its roots in Congressional Quarterly. They are well-known
experts in congressional operations, legislative and budget process,
communication and advocacy and other related topics. They offer
training courses and publications to government and business leaders
since the late 1970s. TheCapitol.Net offers eight educational tracks.
"Real World Research Skills", part of their Research Skills Track, is
a no-frills text on United States Federal Government research, and for
its small size and reasonable price, I believe it delivers a big bang
for the buck.
FreePint Reviewer:
Deborah A. Liptak, MLIS, deb@debsinfo2go.us
is the owner of info2go,
a 'Reference Librarian for Rent' service to individuals and small
businesses, which occasionally need research and answers to specific
questions and do not employ a corporate librarian or researcher.
Info2go specialises in locating and delivering government documents,
public records and primary research beyond what is available on Google
Books, WorldCat or FirstSearch. Deb publishes Need to Know by info2go,
a monthly newsletter
http://www.debsinfo2go.us/needtoknow/needtoknowindex.html and RSS
feed http://www.debsinfo2go.us/needtoknow/needtoknow.xml.
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