Drexel University Information Technology



Caitlin Hawe

INFO 521

3/8/2011

Final ipl2 Project

Question 1

Question:

Is there any information about Wes Moore, author of The Other Wes Moore?

needed by: no need by

name: X

from: X

confirm: X

location: Rogers, Arkansas

area: Biography

reason: Research paper

school: Yes

Question Claimed: Mon, 31 Jan 2011 21:28:40 by Caitlin Hawe (caitlin.s.hawe@drexel.edu)

Question Answered:Tue, 01 Feb 2011 19:40:42 by Caitlin Hawe (caitlin.s.hawe@drexel.edu)

Feedback: REQ Sun, 06 Feb 2011 11:35:11 by Caitlin Hawe (caitlin.s.hawe@drexel.edu)

Time Spent Answering Question: 3 hours

Response:

Greetings from the ipl2!

Thank you for your request for information on Wes Moore, the author of The Other Wes Moore.

I have found a few sources that I hope will answer your question.

1)The first website I found information on is Wikipedia.



On this page you will find information about Wes Moore's childhood, education and career.

Wikipedia is a free, online encyclopedia. Information is provided by a variety of sources and people who volunteer information.

I began my search by typing “Wes Moore” into a general search engine, such as Internet Explorer (you do not need to use the " " marks).

I scrolled down until I found the Wikipedia result.

A community of users maintains or edits this source. Because membership in this community may include non-experts, information taken from this source should be verified using other, more reliable sources.

2)I also found an article on Wes Moore on the USA Today website.



This link is quite long and could break, so here is a shortened version for your convenience.



USA Today is a credible American newspaper company. It is part of Gannett Co. Inc, a leading international media company. The author of the article is a well-known book critic for USA Today.

In the article you will find brief information about Wes Moore's life. You will also learn about his inspiration for writing the book The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates.

I began my search using



I went to because I knew it would allow me to browse numerous links to find appropriate websites.

On the homepage I typed “Wes Moore” into the search box (you do not need to use the " " marks)

This produced numerous results.



This link is quite long and could break, so here is a shortened version for your convenience.



I scrolled down until I saw the link for the USA Today article.

3)Information on Wes Moore is also available on the website for his book The Other Wes Moore: One name, Two Fates.



I found biographical information on Moore by going to the link About the Author at the top of the homepage.



The web page provides information on his education and military service. Additionally, there is a discussion of his inspiration behind the book.

I found the website by using the same results for the USA Today article.

I scrolled down until I saw the link to the website for his book.

4)Information on Wes Moore is also available on the Baltimore Sun website.



This link is quite long and could break, so here is a shortened version for your convenience.



The Baltimore Sun is part of the Tribune, which is a leading multi-media company. The Tribune is the recipient of multiple Pulitzer Prizes and other journalistic awards. It is also associated with other credible papers, such as the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune.

I initially began my search using All the Web.

This engine allows you to search multiple sites at a single time.



I typed “ Wes Moore” into the search box (you do not need to use the " " marks). It produced a list of results.



This link is quite long and could break, so here is a shortened version for your convenience



I found a result that seemed valuable and chose to investigate.



The web page mentions a Baltimore Sun article,from 2000, that discusses Moore. Therefore I chose to investigate the article.

I then went to the Baltimore Sun website.



I typed “ Wes Moore” into the search box (you do not need to use the " "marks). I received several results. I went through the list until I found the original 2000 article on Wesley Moore,Rhodes scholar recipient. It is on the second page of the results. The article is from December 11, 2000



This link is quite long and could break, so here is a shortened version for your convenience.



I also noticed some other articles within the same search results.

I found a Q & A with Wes Moore. This is located on the first page of the search results.



This link is quite long and could break, so here is a shortened version for your convenience.



In the article Moore discusses his young, troubled life. He also explains how he turned his life around. Additionally, he mentions his reasons for investigating the other Wes Moore and writing the book.

5 ) I noticed that you live in Rogers, Arkansas. I looked up public libraries in your area and found one in your town, the Rogers Public Library.



I went on the library's website to see if I could find Wes Moore's book. The book discusses Moore's background, as indicated by the previous online searches. On the library's homepage I selected the drop down Title. Then I typed “The Other Wes Moore” into the search box (you do not need to use the " "marks). I then selected the “Go” button.

I was directed to a record for the book.



This link is quite long and could break, so here is a shortened version for your convenience.



The record claims the item is in stock. The call number and location are also provided.

If you need help locating this book, or any additional print materials, please ask the librarian for assistance.

I hope these sources answer your question. Please don't hesitate to contact us again if you need more information.

Thank you for using ipl2.

Staff Feedback

Hi Caitlin!

You did a really good job answering this patron’s question about Wes Moore. You provided the appropriate disclaimer for the Wikipedia source and then offered more sources from reputable publications. I really liked the way you described your search, including whether or not the patron needed to use quotation marks in her searches. I also found your descriptions of the resources you found to be helpful and informative, I really understood why you chose the sources you did.

You also did a good job directing the patron to print resources in her local library. By directing her there you have shown her a valuable resource in her area for future questions.

In my answers I try to include a personal touch. That can sometimes get lost in email reference. With this patron I might have acknowledged her assignment or wished her luck on the research paper.

You did a great job answering this question. Keep up the good work and good luck with your future questions!

Sincerely,

Catherine

Set STATUS to FEEDBACK_RCV Tue, 08 Feb 2011 14:06:13 by Catherine Mccort (catherine.mccort@drexel.edu)

Log:

Other sources consulted & strategies used: First, I began my search using ipl2. I typed “Wes Moore” into the search box on the homepage. There was no information on Wes Moore. Therefore, I decided to investigate Wikipedia to find general information about Wes Moore. Upon viewing the web page, I found that Wes Moore was a Rhodes Scholar and worked under Condoleezza Rice. As a result, I decided to explore the White House website. On the homepage I typed “Wes Moore” into the search box. Unfortunately, the White House search did not produce any information on Wes Moore. Additionally, since the user was looking for biographical information, I consulted biography websites; such as Biographical Dictionary and Biography Online. I looked up “Wes Moore” in each, but there were no results.

Critique indicating satisfaction with the answer: I am satisfied with the answer I provided. This question required a lot of digging, but I enjoyed the challenge. The user was given a variety of authoritative resources to consult for their research assignment. Additionally, the patron was referred to a local library, where they could find Wes Moore's book. The feedback from IPL staff confirmed the sources and search process would be useful to the patron.

Anything that you would do differently in the future: One thing I would do differently is provide further advice along with the Wikipedia source. Even though I included the disclaimer, I would have told the user to only consult the information as a starting point. Since the information is for a paper, a Wikipedia source should not be referenced. However, I feel that I provided sufficient information to satisfy the user's inquiry.

Question 2

Question:

How can I find out what cemeteries were active in Oakland, California in 1916?

needed by:1/30/2011

name: X

from: X

confirm: X

location: Baltimore, MD

area: General Reference

reason: Genealogy Research

school: No

sources_consulted: None

Question Claimed: Fri, 04 Feb 2011 08:15:54 by Caitlin Hawe (caitlin.s.hawe@drexel.edu

Question Answered: Sat, 05 Feb 2011 08:34:27 by Caitlin Hawe (caitlin.s.hawe@drexel.edu)

Feedback: REQ Sun, 06 Feb 2011 11:36:16 by Caitlin Hawe (caitlin.s.hawe@drexel.edu)

Time Spent Answering Question: 3 1/2 hours

Response:

Greetings from the ipl2!

Thank you for your inquiry on how to find cemeteries that were active in Oakland, California in the year 1916.

I have found a few sources that I hope will answer your question.

1)Find a Grave is a useful website for locating cemeteries.



Here you can search for cemeteries by location. You can also find burial records for specific people. This would be useful to your search, considering you are interested in this information for genealogy purposes.

I began my search using the ipl2 website.



The ipl2 provides a collection of useful sources selected from the Librarians Internet Index and the Internet Public Library. It was also created by librarians and information professionals. It is a great place to start a search, since it supplies an abundance of resources.

From the homepage I selected the box Resources by Subject.



Then I selected the Reference Category.



Find a Grave is the second link listed on the first page of the search results.

2) I also found information on the website I Dream of Genealogy



I looked here, because I noticed your question was genealogy related.

Under the heading County Records, and the subheading Alameda, you will find information on Oakland cemeteries. There are two specifically listed under Oakland that indicate they were active in 1916. The dates are located next to the cemetery’s name.

I began my search using ipl2.



I then selected the link for Resources by Subject on the homepage.



I then selected the Reference Category.



On the first page of the results, I saw a link for .



I selected this search engine, because you can search multiple websites at a single time.

I then typed “Oakland California Cemeteries, 1916” into the search box (you do not need to use the " " marks).



This link is quite long and could break, so here is a shortened version for your convenience.



From the list of results I selected the link for I Dream of Genealogy Free Databases-California Cemeteries. There is no information on who created this site, or how the information was provided. Please be aware of this when searching the website. This would be a good supplement to a more authoritative source.

3)I also found information on



is a website that publishes cemetery records online. Additionally, the site shows transcripts that are used by genealogists and local historians. The site is helpful in locating burial sites of relatives and tracing family history.

By selecting the specific cemetery links, you can see when each one was established or in operation. There is also a list of existing headstones in each cemetery link. For those links that do not provide the operation date, there are dates of death located next to the names. This may assist you in finding a specific person, or seeing when the cemetery was in operation.

I began my search by typing “cemetery information” into a general search engine, such as Internet Explorer (you do not need to use the " " marks).

I then selected the result for

Under the category United States, I selected the link for California.



On the results screen there is a list of counties. I chose Alameda, since Oakland is part of Alameda County.



I was then directed to the list of cemeteries in Alameda,California.

This website was created by two individuals. One of the individuals has been actively involved in recording and publishing hundreds of cemetery records. Furthermore, she is a member of the Washington State Cemetery Association. This is an organization that is involved in obtaining legislation in order to protect the state's cemeteries. The other creator does not appear to be an expert on the topic, but rather a website manager. However, this is useful to your search since you are performing general genealogy research.

5) I also found some useful information on the Oakland Public Library website.



This link is quite long and could break, so here is a shortened version for your convenience.



Libraries are a reliable source regarding the information that you are looking for. This library would be particularly useful, since you are performing genealogy research. The Oakland Library appears to have extensive knowledge and sources on this topic.

Here you will find information on how to contact the library to obtain assistance. They provide genealogy information, directories, copies of death notices, county history and obituaries. Additionally, there are valuable websites listed on this site that can assist you in your search for specific cemeteries. You may want to contact the library and speak with one of the reference librarians.

I began my search by typing “Oakland Library” into a general search engine, such as Internet Explorer (you do not need to use the " " marks).

I was then directed to the homepage



On the homepage under Services, I selected the link for Other Library Services



On the results page, under the heading Special Collections, I selected the link Family History & Genealogy Resources.

I hope these sources answer your question. Please don't hesitate to contact us again if you need more information.

Thank you for using ipl2.

Staff Feedback

Caitlin,

Wow! You did an excellent job providing resources to not only answer the patron’s explicit question but also to aid in her general genealogical research. You looked past the patron’s initial question and helped her with a probable underlying information need.

First, you provided 4 excellent resources, two of which you found using the ipl. One note I have is that since your #2 site (I dream of…) provided the patron with a fairly direct answer, while your #1 site (Find a Grave) was less specific, it may be helpful to switch the order—presenting the #2 site first. I only say this because I checked out the Find a Grave site and found it more confusing, so if I were this patron I might be turned off by seeing that site first, whereas the second site had a very clear answer.

Second, you accurately described your search string for each resource. That will be very helpful for this patron if she decides to continue her genealogical research. However, for your third and fourth resources, you cited using “a general search engine, such as Internet Explorer.” It is important to note that Internet Explorer is actually a web browser, not a search engine. If you used a “general” search engine located in an Internet Explorer toolbar, it was probably Yahoo, Bing, Google, etc., and you should refer the patron to that search engine’s homepage so that she can more accurately recreate your search.

Third, you did a great job explaining your thought process in providing each page. You explained each resource’s authority or possible lack thereof, and pointed out parts of the site that may be useful to the patron.

Lastly, just a reminder to double-check your numbering—you skipped from 3 to 5 without using #4. No biggie there, but it’s always good to proofread before submitting, as is indicated in the checklist under “Before sending your answer”:



Overall, you did a great job. I would bet that this patron is incredibly satisfied with the sources you provided to her!

Taryn :)

Set STATUS to FEEDBACK_RCV Tue, 08 Feb 2011 01:38:18

by Taryn Hickey (taryn.hickey@drexel.edu)

Log:

Other sources consulted & strategies used: I began my search using the ipl2. I was fortunate enough to have my initial search process produce relevant results. After consulting ipl2 I decided to search outside sources. I began by typing “cemeteries, Oakland California” into Google. This search produced a list of cemeteries. Most of the cemeteries were listed in a Yahoo directory, therefore a website was not provided. As a result, I could not determine when the cemeteries were active. Additionally, individual websites for cemeteries were listed in the Google results. I would have to go through each website to determine whether it was active in 1916. This would be too time consuming, considering the question had to be answered in 24 hours. I then decided to use more general terms, such as the one used to find the Interment source. This proved to be beneficial. Interment provided factual records and allowed me to search multiple cemeteries at once. Additionally, I found useful results rearranging the search terms to “Oakland California cemeteries” and typing them into . I also decided to look for libraries in Oakland, California because I know many libraries have genealogy classes. The library I found happened to have an extensive genealogy department. I thought this would be valuable to the user's inquiry, since a local expert would likely be able to provide specific information to the user.

Critique indicating satisfaction with the answer: This was one of my most difficult, but favorite, questions to answer. I actually chose this question, because it required a bit of “historical” research. I am satisfied with the information I provided. The user was given tools they can use for the future, if they choose to perform more genealogy research. However, there were a few errors in the answer that left me disappointed. As Taryn stated, I should have been more diligent with my proofreading. The questions were numbered incorrectly. I did review the question several times before submission. However, it would have been helpful to step away for an hour or so and review the answer again. Its always good to view information with a fresh eye. Additionally, I used the phrase “search engine” instead of browser for Internet Explorer. I actually made this mistake in several of my answers. In my opinion, having errors in the answer lacks a bit of professionalism.

Anything you would do differently in the future: In the future, I would have reorganized the answers. Taryn suggested placing the more direct answers first. This is a useful suggestion, considering a user may become frustrated with an indirect website. Additionally, I would research a local genealogy or historical society in the selected region. This would provide a direct contact for the user, especially if they have the name of a specific ancestor they are looking for.

Question 3

Question:

I am writing a research paper for my composition class. I am writing this paper about both the Big Bang theory and the Theory of Evolution. I am wanting to try to show a connection between

the beginning of the universe and the evolution of life on our planet. Can you possibly tell me if there have been any books, articles, or scientific papers written discussing a possible connection between the two theories? This kind of information would really help with me trying to show a connection. Obviously, the book, article, or paper would be referenced to show the author's credit to my information.

needed by: 2/7/2011

name: X

from: X

confirm:X

location: Muncie, Indiana

area: Science

reason: To help with a research paper.

school: Yes

sources_consulted: Wikipedia,search engines such as Google, and National Geographic.

Question Claimed: Mon, 14 Feb 2011 22:12:47 by Caitlin Hawe (caitlin.s.hawe@drexel.edu)

Question Answered:Tue, 15 Feb 2011 20:26:37 by Caitlin Hawe (caitlin.s.hawe@drexel.edu)

Feedback: REQ Wed, 16 Feb 2011 17:31:27 by Caitlin Hawe (caitlin.s.hawe@drexel.edu)

Time Spent Answering Question: 2 hrs

Response:

Greetings from the ipl2!

Thank you for your inquiry for information connecting the Big Bang Theory and the Theory of Evolution.

I have found a few sources that I hope will answer your question.

1)I found the book Here on Earth: A Natural History of the Planet by Tim Flannery.



This link is quite long and could break, so here is a shortened version for your convenience.



The book traces the evolution of life on Earth, starting with the Big Bang. Additionally, it covers the evolution of man.

You can view the full synopsis of the book within the "Overview" tab.

I began my search using the Barnes & Noble website.



This link is quite long and could break, so here is a shortened version for your convenience.



This is a useful website, because you can browse a variety of books and print materials pertaining to a topic. Additionally, you can view descriptions of the items.

I typed "big bang theory and life on earth" into the search box (you do not need to use the " " marks)

It produced many results.



This link is quite long and could break, so here is a shortened version for your convenience.



It is the third result.

The author, Tim Flannery, is an acclaimed scientist and professor. He is well known for his expertise on the evolution of macro-pods. This is useful to your search, considering you are writing a research paper and need authoritative sources.

3)Another book I found was Evolutionary Trajectory by Richard L.Coren.



This link is quite long and could break, so here is a shortened version for your convenience.



The book discusses the evolution of life until present day and beyond. The author attributes the beginning of evolution to the Big Bang Theory.

You can view the full synopsis of the book within the “Overview” tab.

I began my search using the Barnes & Noble website.



This link is quite long and could break, so here is a shortened version for your convenience.



This is a useful website, because you can browse a variety of books and print materials pertaining to a topic. Additionally, you can view descriptions of the items.

I typed "big bang theory and life on earth" into the search box (you do not need to use the " " marks)

It produced many results.



This link is quite long and could break, so here is a shortened version for your convenience.



It is the fourth result

The author, Richard Coren, is an accredited professor and is well known for his expertise in thermodynamics. Therefore, it appears that Coren is an authority on your topic. This is useful to your search, considering you are writing a research paper.

3) I also noticed you live in Muncie, Indiana. I looked up libraries in the area and found one in your town, the Muncie Public Library.

I went to the library's website to see if I could find either of the books.



On the homepage, I typed the title "Here on Earth: A Natural History of the Planet" into the search box (you do not need to use the " " marks). This allowed me to search for the item in the library's catalog.

I was then directed to a search result, which indicates the book is located in an affiliated library. It appears the Maring-Hunt library has the item on order.



This link is quite long and could break, so here is a shortened version for your convenience.



Additionally, I typed "Evolutionary Trajectory" into the search box ( you do not need to use the " " marks). This did not produce any results.

You may want to go to the library and ask the reference librarian for books or articles that are similar to the suggested books. Additionally, the librarian may be able to recommend where you can locally find Richard Coren's book.

Furthermore, you may want to visit your school library to see if they have these items.

I hope these sources answer your question. Please don't hesitate to contact us again if you need more information.

Thank you for using ipl2.

Staff Feedback

This was a very good answer to the patron's question. You provided a list of books and their summaries and reasons why you picked them in the first place, and provided information on where and how you found them. You also referred to the patron's home library for further assistance. I can only suggestion I can think of is to make note of your numbering, as it seems you've skipped something because the numbering goes from 1 to 3, but only two books are listed.

Set STATUS to FEEDBACK_RCV Fri, 18 Feb 2011 16:47:24 by Charles Myers (charles.myers@drexel.edu)

Log:

Other sources consulted & strategies used: I initially began my search by consulting ipl2. I tried typing “Big Bang Theory and Evolution”, and variations of the term, into the search box on the homepage. There were results for the Big Bang Theory, but they were irrelevant to the user's inquiry. Then I decided to try scientific websites. I consulted NASA's website. In the search box,on the home page, I typed “Big Bang Theory”. The results produced were not valid to the user's search. I also consulted the Popular Science website. Since this is a well known science magazine, I figured the publication's website may be useful. I typed several search terms, using Boolean operators, such as “Big Bang Theory and Evolution”, “ Big Bang Theory and life”, “Evolution and life” etc. Unfortunately I found that a subscription is needed to view the full articles. Then I decided to search in a general web browser. I tried variations of the term “big bang theory and evolution”. One of the results produced was a link to the University of California, Berkeley website Understanding Evolution. However, it did not have any information that linked the Big Bang Theory and evolution. I also typed “Big Bang Theory, Science”, into a search engine, such as Google. I used the word science, because I did not want the search engine to confuse the terms with the TV show Big Bang Theory. The search produced the the website, big-bang-. However, it did not look authoritative. After these failed attempts, I decided to perform the searches for specific materials. This is why I consulted the Barnes & Noble and library websites. I figured direct, authoritative sources would be valuable to the patron, since they were looking for information for a research paper.

Critique indicating satisfaction with the answer: I was not very satisfied with this answer. I would have liked to provide more sources for the user, since they needed the information for a research paper. Even though I do not feel there was enough information, there were positive attributes within the answer. First, the authors of the provided books are experts in their fields. Secondly, the synopsis descriptions on the Barnes & Noble websites appear to meet the user's inquiry. Therefore, the books are likely to be beneficial to the patron's project. Finally, the patron was referred to a local library to retrieve a suggested book. These are all materials and tips that the patron can utilize in the future.

Anything you would do differently in the future: In the future I would consult Drexel's databases. I know that we are supposed to look for freely accessible information. Hence, why I initially stayed away from the university's subscription databases. However, finding articles would have benefited the patron's project. I have found that authoritative, peer-reviewed articles are highly useful to research projects. Since I referred the user to a library, they could have taken article names and requested them through ILL. In the answer, I would have provided the disclaimer required by ipl2 for subscription resources. Additionally, I would have recommended well-known science magazines. The user could take the names of these sources to their local library and have the librarian assist them in finding information. Furthermore, I probably would not consult the Barnes & Noble website next time. I would not want the patron to feel pushed into purchasing an item for their assignment.

Question 4

Question:

I am interested in learning more about socialism. I have no read any books about it before and wanted to read more about it.

needed by: no date needed by

name: X

from: X

confirm: X

location: Pemberton, NJ

area: Politics

reason: Personal information.

school: No

sources_consulted: A booksite called . I have seen books listed (tagged) as socialism, but those are sometimes unsatisfactory as people too often equate socialism and communism together.

Question Claimed: Thu, 17 Feb 2011 21:46:13 by Caitlin Hawe (caitlin.s.hawe@drexel.edu)

Question Answered: Fri, 18 Feb 2011 19:18:23 by Caitlin Hawe (caitlin.s.hawe@drexel.edu)

Time Spent Answering Question: 4 1/2 hours

Response

Greetings from the ipl2!

Thank you for your inquiry for information on Socialism.

I have found a few sources that I hope will answer your question.

1- A book you may find useful is The Origins of Socialism by George Lichtheim.

You said you had previously searched . Therefore, I figured you would be interested in obtaining books on Socialism.

I found the book by visiting the Burlington County Library System website.



I went to this site, because I noticed you were a resident of Pemberton, NJ. I originally looked up libraries in the town. The Pemberton Community Library did not have it's own search catalog. However, I noticed it was part of the Burlington County Library System. Therefore, I chose to go to the county's website to perform a search.

From the homepage I selected the drop down for Library Catalog. The drop down bar is located under the heading Your Favorites, in the upper left corner.



In the search field labeled Subject Keyword, I typed "Socialism" (you do not need to use the " " marks).

The book is number 17, located on the second page of results.



This link is quite long and could break, so here is a shortened version for your convenience.



The website claims there are two copies checked-in at the Pemberton Branch. However, it is always a good idea to contact the library to ensure they have the item in their stacks.



This link is quite long and could break, so here is a shortened version for your convenience.



Additionally, you may want to browse through some of the other results produced from this search. They may be beneficial to your topic. Some items are more specific than others.

The author of the book, George Lictheim, was a historian and Socialist. His writings typically focused on Marxism and Socialism. This is beneficial to your search, considering you are interested in general information on Socialism.

2- I also found the book The American Socialist Movement,1897-1912 by Ira Kipnis.

The book discusses the Socialist party in the United States between the 1897-1912.It analyzes the struggles of the party within itself and against Communism. It also discusses the central goals of the party at the time. Additionally, the book provides information on leading figures.

I also located this book using the Burlington County catalog. However, instead of searching "Socialism" in the Subject Keyword field, I typed "Socialist Party" (You do not need to use the " " marks).

The book is the fourth result.



This link is quite long and could break, so here is a shortened version for your convenience.



The website claims the book is checked in at the Pemberton Library. However it is always wise to contact the library to ensure that they have the item in their stacks.



This link is quite long and could break, so here is a shortened version for your convenience.



The author, Ira Kipnis, was an expert on the Socialist Movement. He was also a professor and historian. Therefore, Kipnis appears to be an authority on your subject.

3-Another book you may find useful is Socialism: A Very Short Introduction by Michael Newman

The book discusses Socialism from the French Revolution until the preset day. It is geographically focused in Europe and the Soviet Union. Additionally it is a recent book, published in 2005. This would be useful to your search, considering you are interested in learning more about Socialism. It provides a brief overview of the topic.

I found the book by searching the Barnes & Noble website.



This is a useful website, because you can browse a variety of books and print materials pertaining to a topic. Additionally, you can view descriptions of the items, without having to purchase them. You can also read a full synopsis of the materials.

I typed "Socialism" into the search box at the top of the homepage (you do not need to use the " " marks). I then chose to limit my search to books, using the drop down tab next to the search box.



This link is quite long and could break, so here is a shortened version for your convenience.



Newman's book is the 7th result.

The author, Michael Newman, is a well-known author of education, social and political based materials. Additionally, he is a professor and director at the University of North London.

4-You can also find useful information on the Socialist Party USA website



Here you can find information about Socialist party in the USA. The website discusses their history, principles, platform and constitution. These details can be viewed by selecting the links under the About Us category on the websites homepage. Additionally, the site is maintained by the Socialist Party of the United States. This would be useful to your search since it provides a present day perspective of the Socialist party.

I began my search using the ipl2.



On the homepage I selected the Resources by Subject box.



I then selected the Social Sciences category.



Then I limited my search to Political Science, by selecting the link on the left side of the screen.



From the Political Science web page, I limited my search to Politics, by selecting the link on the left side of the screen.



I then scrolled down until I found the link Political Parties of the Americas.



This website is maintained by Georgetown University.

From the homepage, I looked under the category Political Parties by Country. In the drop down box, located under this heading, I selected the United States. However, if you are interested, the drop down allows you to search a variety of countries.



On the results web page I scrolled down until I found the link for The Socialist Party USA.



I then selected the link for Go to Socialist Party USA Homepage. This will direct you to the party's homepage.

5-I also found information on Wikipedia



An explanation of Socialism is provided at the top of the web page. Additionally, you will find information about Socialist goals, economics and history. You will also be able to view different branches of the party.

I began my search by typing "socialism" into a general search engine, such as Google ( you do not need to use the " " marks).

The first result was Socialism - Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia. A community of users maintains or edits this site. Because membership in this community may include non-experts, information taken from this source should be verified using other, more reliable sources.

I hope these sources answer your question. Please don't hesitate to contact us again if you need more information.

Thank you for using ipl2.

Log:

Other sources consulted & strategies used: After consulting ipl2 and Wikipedia, it was difficult to find other useful sources. In addition to the sources mentioned in the answer, I also consulted the websites All the Web, World History and Find Articles. I consulted All the Web, because I wanted to see if I could find information on various websites. The searches I performed on socialism did not produce enough information to provide a thorough answer to the user's inquiry. I consulted Find Articles, because I wanted to find useful journal articles that the user could read to learn about socialism. I initially went to the Reference category to look for information. However, upon viewing the Reference web page, I found that only publication names were listed. I was unsure of publications that would specifically discuss socialism. I looked under the “P” category for Political Science publications. I found Political Science Quarterly. There were issues listed, but I didn't know which issues to consult for any information on socialism; or if the journal even discusses the topic. Therefore, I decided to stop exploring this website for information. If I had more than 24 hours to answer the question, I would have tried other methods. I searched World History because I wanted to find information on the history of socialism. I thought this would be a good, general starting point for the user. Initially I tried typing socialism into the search box on the home page. This did not produce any useful results. Then I went to the popular category listed at the top of the home page. Again, this strategy did not produce any information on socialism. Therefore, I decided to look for specific books that would discuss the topic of socialism. This method had proven to be successful with a previous search and was useful in this instance.

Critique indicating satisfaction with the answer: This was a difficult question to answer. It took quite a while to find useful information. However, I am satisfied with the answer I provided. I chose to list the library books first, because I figured these items would be easily accessible to the user. They seemed eager to begin reading on the topic of socialism, therefore I figured these would be of most interest to the user. I also explained how to search the library catalog. This is a beneficial tool the person can use in the future. Additionally, the book by Newman provides a general overview of the topic of socialism. This would be a good starting point for the user. The socialist party website will give the user a good idea of the current workings of the party. The Wikipedia link will also provide the user with an overview of socialism. I decided to place this last, because it is the least authoritative source.

Anything you would do differently in the future: In the future I probably would list the ipl2 source first. It would be more conducive to the ipl2 policy. Additionally, I would have found more books similar to Newman's and Kipnis. These authors are outsiders writing on the topic. Therefore their books may be more objective. However, Lichtheim was a member of the socialist party. Consequently, his book may be a bit biased. The ipl2 suggests that the information provided to the users be impartial. As a result, I would probably reconsider including a book like Lictheim's in the future.

Question 5

Question:

My topic is the Atomic Bomb, and I was wondering if you know someone we can interview over video or in person. I have a lot of questions.

needed by: 2/12/2011

name: X

from:X

confirm: X

location: Sheboygan, WI; United States

area: History

reason: In my National History Day project.

school: Yes

sources_consulted:

Question Claimed: Tue, 22 Feb 2011 10:28:06 by Caitlin Hawe (caitlin.s.hawe@drexel.edu)

Question Answered: Tue, 22 Feb 2011 21:43:04 by Caitlin Hawe (caitlin.s.hawe@drexel.edu)

Time Spent Answering Question: 3 1/2 hours

Response:

Greetings from the ipl2!

Thank you for your question on people to interview about the Atomic Bomb.

I did some research and found a few people that may be of assistance to you.

1) Gregg Herken may be a useful interviewee.

You can contact him at gherken@ucmerced.edu or gherken@

Gregg Herken is a well known historian, curator and professor. He is also an accredited author. Herken has written the Brotherhood of the Bomb: The Tangled Lives and Loyalties of Robert Oppenheimer, Ernest Lawrence, and Edward Teller (2002) and The Winning Weapon: The Atomic Bomb in the Cold War (1988). He would be a useful person to contact, since he has extensive knowledge on your topic and is a historian.

I began my search by typing “atomic bomb” into a general search engine, such as Google (you do not need to use the " " marks).

On the second page of search results I found a link for Infoplease.



Infoplease provides factual information. It is part of Pearson Education. They are an education company that provide online facts and research information.

On the Infoplease web page there is general information about the Atomic Bomb.

Below the information I found citations. One in particular looked useful The Brotherhood of the Bomb(2002). I selected this source, because it is fairly recent.

To find the author of the source I typed “brotherhood of the bomb” into a general search engine, such as Google (you do not need to use the " " marks).

The first result was a website for the book Brotherhood of the Bomb: The Tangled Lives and Loyalties of Robert Oppenheimer,Ernest Lawrence, and Edward Teller. The website also claims the author of the book is Gregg Herken.



Here you will also find information about the book and how to contact the author.

I was interested in finding more information about the author. Therefore I typed the name “Gregg Herken” into a general search engine, such as Google ( you do not need to use the " " marks).

The first result was a link to a faculty web page for University of California, Merced.



The site claims Herken is a faculty member at the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts.

On the web page you will find contact information for Herken. You can also view his research interests, educational background and credentials. I knew this was the same Gregg Herken, because there is a link on the web page for the Brotherhood of the Bomb website.

You may be able to set up a video interview with him, since he does not live in your state.

2)Another person that may be of assistance is Richard Rhodes.

A contact email you may want to try is Rhodes.Today@

I began my search by typing “atomic bomb books” into a search engine, such as Google (you do not need to use the " " marks). I did this so I could find authors of historical books on the atomic bomb. Most authors of factual history books are experts in the field. Since you are interviewing someone for an assignment, it is best to interview an authority on the subject.

The results produced a link to the website Amazon. The link included the title The Making of the Atomic Bomb. This sounded useful to your inquiry, since your are looking for information for a history project.

Upon clicking the link, the web page claimed the author of the book was Richard Rhodes.

I wanted to ensure the author was an authority on the subject. Therefore I typed “Richard Rhodes” into a general search engine,such as Google (you do not need to use the " " marks). I scrolled down until I found a link for Random House, Inc. It should be the seventh search result. I selected this website, because Random House is a reputable book publishing company.



On the web page I found background information about Richard Rhodes. By reading the information it became clear that Rhodes is an authority on your topic. Additionally, I discovered that he is and affiliate at Stanford University.

I went to Stanford University's website to see if I could locate contact information for him.



I typed “Richard Rhodes” into the search box on the homepage (you do not need to use the " " marks). It is located in the upper right corner.



This link is quite long and could break, so here is a shortened version for your convenience.



There were many results for this search. I began by selecting the first link, Richard Rhodes-CISAC. It proved to be beneficial.



On this web page you will find information about Richard Rhodes as well as his contact email.

Some of the information I read claimed that Rhodes travels quite a bit. You may want to communicate with him via email, since it may be difficult to set up a video interview. Additionally, he does not live in your state. Therefore it is likely that he could not meet for an in-person interview.

3) I also noticed that you live in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. I looked up universities in your state and town. I found the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Wisconsin- Sheboygan. You may want to contact a World War II history professor at one of the campuses. They would likely have knowledge of the events leading up to the creation and activation of the first Atomic Bomb. Professors tend to be experts since they have extensive experience and education in their field. Considering the universities are within your state, the professor may be willing to meet with you for an in-person interview.

I hope these sources answer your question. Please don't hesitate to contact us again if you need more information.

Thank you for using ipl2.

Log:

Other sources consulted & strategies used: I began my search by consulting the ipl2. On the homepage, I tried typing “atomic bomb experts” into the search box. The first link in the search result was Physics-The Race to Build the Atomic Bomb. Upon viewing the website, it appeared to have information on the process of creating the atomic bomb. Additionally, the website is part of Contra Costa County Office of Education. This is a company that provides educational information for students and teachers. I tried to find information on the web site creator, Doug Prouty, but discovered nothing useful. Had I found solid evidence that he was an expert on the topic, I would have suggested him as a contact for the user. The IPL search results also produced a link to an interview with Edward Teller, father of the hydrogen bomb. This interview seemed to be more biographical. I then looked for information on Edward Teller and found that he passed away in 2003. I also tried typing “atomic bomb” into the search box on the ipl2 main page. It produced the same results as the previous search. In a final attempt, I decided to type “ World War II history experts” into the search box, since the user needed information for a history project. Also, the first atomic bombs were activated during the war. The results produced were irrelevant to the user's inquiry. I then decided that ipl2 would not provide the information I needed. I then searched for authors of specific books. This proved to be beneficial. I decided to use this strategy since most authors of factual, historical texts are experts in their field. Additionally, this method proved to be useful in previous searches.

Critique indicating satisfaction with the answer: Overall I am satisfied with the answer I provided. The user was given two specific contacts that are experts on the atomic bomb. Both men are also currently affiliated with prestigious universities. Additionally, I suggested the user contact professors at their local university. This would allow them to potentially set up an in-person interview with an authority on their topic. Methods of contact were also provided. However, there were a few grammatical errors that should have been corrected. Once again, I viewed the answer multiple times before submission. However, a few errors managed to squeak by.

Anything you would do differently in the future: In the future I would include the link to the Amazon website for Rhode's book. The ipl2 suggests providing direct links when possible. In this case, a link would have been useful. I also would have recommended the user perform the interview with Herken over the phone or through email. I suggested this method for Rhodes, but failed to do so for Herken. Since both experts are likely to be busy and pressed with time, they may be more willing to set up a phone interview or answer questions via email. This is something I would mention in the future.

Project Reflection

I found the IPL project to be incredibly informative and valuable. The ipl2 is an excellent service that provides a foundation for future information professionals. With their six mandatory elements, they teach volunteers and students to think like a reference librarian. This gave me a clearer perspective of the professional's role. Additionally, from the Secret Shopper and the IPL projects, I was able to truly analyze and compare the techniques of a reference interview. The evaluative methods I learned are something I can incorporate into my future role as a librarian.

For the most part, I feel I provided informative answers to each inquiry. However, had this been an in-person or live chat project, my answers would have greatly differed. As a new student in the LIS program, I wouldn't have been able to provide such detailed answers in-person or via chat. This is simply based on my inexperience. The e-mail reference allots more time to provide thorough, concise answers. In-person and chat references have time constraints. As a result, I probably would have consulted a few well-known, key resources to find the most beneficial answer. Thus, the interaction with the patron would have been brief. Additionally, had this been an in-person project, I would have looked for more resources in the library first. Then I would have proceeded to online or outside sources. In general, I believe that time would have been the greatest obstacle to overcome for an in-person or chat interview. This may be a challenge that I face once I perform such reference interviews. However, I'm sure as I advance in my career, I will be able to thoroughly answer a patrons question with multiple resources. This is vital, considering a comprehensive interview process is favorable to a patron. Regardless, I will be able to utilize the tools I learned with the ipl2 email reference service.

In the future, reference e-mail services will be incredibly beneficial to libraries. Though some libraries currently have this feature, it will probably become more popular as time progresses. This is true for the chat reference as well. Since we live in a digital age, more people are inclined to use technology. Therefore, future patrons will turn to e-mail instead of making a trip to the library or placing a phone call. Furthermore, email reference will allow libraries to adapt with the changing times. Young people, who have been using computers from an early age, are more inclined to turn to the internet to find answers. If libraries make their e-mail reference services well-known, it will teach younger generations that useful resources can still be found at their local library, not just on Google or Wikipedia. Additionally, libraries will be able to serve a broader patron population. For instance, a local library may not have the knowledge or resources to meet a patron's needs. As a result, a patron can use another library to obtain information. Sometimes these institutions may be in another city or state. Having an email service will alleviate a visit or phone call to the long-distance library. Finally, this feature will accommodate librarians. Having an e-mail service will allow the librarian more time to perform research to respond to the patron's inquiry. They will also be able to include useful search strategies that the patron can utilize in future research. The e-mail reference feature will benefit patrons and professionals alike.

The IPL project was my first experience in the role as a reference professional. I learned it is a difficult task to take on. Performing research for another person requires a lot of time, patience and diligence. Since its not always evident what the patron is specifically looking for, its important to provide a variety of useful resources that can meet their needs. I found this to be especially true when searching for information on a broad topic like socialism. Additionally, I learned how to professionally interact with a patron and provide informative search strategies. This was a result of the greeting, acknowledgment and search description required by the ipl2 for each answer. These are attributes that every reference librarian should incorporate in their transaction; both in-person and digital. The staff feedback feature was also beneficial to my learning process. Their professional advice was useful in improving my future responses. Furthermore, I learned how to perform thorough online research. The IPL administers training tools that teach volunteers how to evaluate information to ensure it is authoritative, current and appropriate. Prior to this project, I knew how to find information through print and database resources. The new knowledge I obtained is something that I can incorporate into my role as a student and as a future LIS professional. Lastly, I found that reference work is an area that I would like to focus on in my profession. I enjoy the challenge of finding information, while learning in the process. The tools and techniques I learned with this project are invaluable to my role as a future librarian.

I certify that:

· This paper/project/exam is entirely my own work.



· I have not quoted the words of any other person from a printed source or a website without indicating what has been quoted and providing an appropriate citation.



· I have not submitted this paper / project to satisfy the requirements of any other course.


Signature________Caitlin Hawe__________________


Date ______3/8/2011______________


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