Beyond the Internet: Successful Research Strategies by Barbara A. Chernow is to the study of the research process what The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. (Strunk, William. Elements of Style. Ithaca, NY: 1918) is to the study of grammar and composition. Both are classic reference books that condense the essence of their respective discipline while not diluting the essential principles. While researching the American founding fathers, Dr. Chernow wished she could ask some of the figures in history to fill in the gaps in their stories. While discussing the research process, Dr. Chernow intertwines tales of her historical research, and shares warm and very personal stories with the reader about many of the famous researchers, archivists and librarians she has befriended over the years.
Beyond the Internet presents research strategies necessary to delve into an in-depth study on any subject. In an entertaining manner, Dr. Chernow educates and enlightens the reader with stories of traditional research material. These stories personalize the research process and are of special interest to historians. In addition, she provides strategic tips on how to use these information tools.
Beyond the Internet covers sources that range from libraries, archives, card catalogues, classification systems and browsing other books in the genre, to letters, diaries, government records and personal interviews. All these sources add depth and breadth to the overview presented online.
Undoubtedly the rise of the internet has challenged research methods. She agrees that the internet is invaluable in pointing the researcher toward the appropriate scholarly collections available only in archives, libraries and private collations. She discusses the obvious limitations of the internet, such as the fact that not all in depth research materials can be found here, especially older historical material. The time and expense involved to digitize and preserve older documents and books has prohibited many institutions from providing direct access. Commercial databases are prohibitively expensive.
This book was a joy to read. It is an important purchase for public, school, academic, and special libraries who wish to add a book on traditional research to the collection. Teachers and researchers will benefit from the lessons learned, and it is a basic information literacy textbook for high school and college students.
Deborah A. Liptak, MLIS, deb@debsinfo2go.us is the president of info2go, an independent research business that connects people with information. info2go provides 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 specializes 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 and RSS feed.
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