Open AccessCollaborating – Key to providing complete answers online and off
Author(s) -
Sacks Risa
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
bulletin of the american society for information science and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1550-8366
pISSN - 0095-4403
DOI - 10.1002/bult.2011.1720370313
Subject(s) - impartiality , confidentiality , key (lock) , online discussion , computer science , knowledge management , public relations , internet privacy , psychology , world wide web , political science , computer security , law
Collaboration among independent information professionals is a worthwhile strategy for the right research project. Working together can supplement gaps in language, expertise and research skills. There is often a need for primary research, seeking information from original resources rather than online, but an info pro may be unable to pursue them due to confidentiality, impartiality, limited time or other reasons. A colleague skilled in primary research can fill in gaps and hard‐to‐access details, provide insight on attitudes and opinions, dig for clarification or more current information or even explain why online searching retrieves nothing on a topic. A successful collaboration demands sharing of information gathered and still needed, any limits to be honored and a reasonable timeframe. Organizations such as the Association of Independent Information Professionals provide directories of individuals with specific types of research skills.