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Reference Mysteries Part I

Reference Mysteries Part I. Reference Desk Survival Skills. It all depends on the question. Reference Process (simplified). Define the topic: What does the user need ? Does the data exist? What are the appropriate discovery tools ? How do you get the data?

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Reference Mysteries Part I

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  1. Reference MysteriesPart I

  2. Reference Desk Survival Skills It all depends on the question....

  3. Reference Process (simplified) • Define the topic: What does the user need? • Does the data exist? What are the appropriate discovery tools? • How do you get the data? • And how do you use the data/resources? Handout!

  4. 1. User Needs: Define the topic • Statistics or data? • Nature of the user (shadling or PhD? time frame? Skills? DLI community?) • Type of file: time series, microdata, spatial data, aggregate statistics

  5. 1. User Needs: Define the topic • Define/refine concepts involved in topic • Start with major issue & target population • Focus on unit of analysis • Add geographical and/or time period limitations to focus the search--cautiously This is an iterative approach; you will refine and redefine as you discover new information

  6. 2. Does the Data Exist? • Check the literature! • Use the language of stats and data (“secondary analysis”, “empirical”)and read table footnotes • Whose responsibility is this? • Who is interested in tracking or studying the issue? Allows you to decide on appropriate search tools

  7. 2. Does the Data Exist? • Subject searching: • UseSTC Online Catalogue, ICPSR topic search, ESTAT by subject, e/print guides • Variable Searching: • IDLS, UT, ICPSR, Sherlocke, QWIFS… • Use specialty databases: • Census, CANSIM, Trade

  8. 3. Getting the Data • The DLI Collection • Web/ftp, standard data products and release dates; other routes (remote submission/custom/RDC) • Access to non-DLI data files • Gallop, US GSS, ISR • Order/download/deliver data to the user • Local service model

  9. 4. Using the Data • Data interpretation: (Understanding variable definitions, missing variables, using weights, surveys with multiple files) • Data manipulation (Subsetting, linking files, regressions and understanding user needs) • Data citation

  10. Your Task? In assigned groups, take the one question provided to your group and brainstorm the questions asked. One person will be the recorder Select one (1) additional question from those posted around the wall and do it as a group.

  11. Example: Reference Mysteries, #137 I need information on absence from work due to stress-related illnesses for Canada and internationally.

  12. Information on absence from work due to stress-related illnesses for Canada and internationally. • What kind of request is this? Do they need data or statistics? • Could be anything “information on” could include secondary literature as well. They may not care whether it is statistical tables, prose, poetry, or a data file…as long as they get something on the subject. • What constraints have they provided? • Conceptual: Work absence and stress • Geographical: Canada, and international.

  13. Information on absence from work due to stress-related illnesses for Canada and internationally. What further information would you like from this user? • What have you found thus far? • What is more important: Canadian studies, or comparable studies? • How are you defining “stress-related illness?” • Is this for analysis or stats for a report? • Is currency critical? • When do you need it?

  14. Information on absence from work due to stress-related illnesses for Canada and internationally. • Indicate what resources or tools you would you think of using for this question. • Ensure that they had already looked at secondary literature such as MEDLINE (which has a couple of Canadian-related sources, including references to the Canadian GSS) • Look at ICPSR to get the international studies, using terms of stress, work and Canada • Search STC online catalogue for articles and reports on stress and work (there are a few) and check the data sources (esp. CST) • Use IDLS to do a variable search on stress and work (several files); data files may offer up information on work, stress and absences that will be fruitful.

  15. Information on absence from work due to stress-related illnesses for Canada and internationally. If you are able to come up with a suggestion for this user, indicate it International Social Survey Program (ISSP); Workplace Employment Survey; Canadian Mental Health Survey; General Social Survey 1994, 2000; Research by Duxbury and Higgins • Other? • Because of fuzzy definitions, start with secondary literature and work on definitions (broad to narrow) • If they haven’t been picked up by standard indexing tools, go to “who else is interested”. It is the EAP groups, and workers compensation.

  16. Banana Cream Pie Group Stefano Sage Bruno John Chocolate Cake Group Cathy Mary Ernie Peter Ice Cream Group Mike Phyllis Jen Gillian Cookie Group Brian Siobhan Joan Mary Jessie Maple Donut Group Alberta Chuck Heather Doug

  17. Reference Mysteries • Define the topic: What does the user need? • Does the data exist? What are the appropriate discovery tools? • How do you get the data? • And how do you use the data/resources?

  18. User Needs: Statistics/data flowchart If they want numbers… Use yes Data file ... to do analysis ... to put in a report yes Use source yes Print/e-source source available? no yes Data file Data available? * In this case, assume an authorized user under DLI license

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