The Rhythm of Searching

摘要

Experienced searchers develop a certain rhythm when they search. It's not planned. It happens over time. Novice searchers usually write things down before they go online—pencil and paper are their first step, particularly with complex search statements. Experienced searchers often simply log on and start keying their strategy. Going directly online is more a matter of experience and environment than intuition. They have learned which databases probably contain the information they seek and how to construct a strategy most likely to find it. But, interestingly, this search rhythm differs among individual searchers. You can ask the same question and different searchers will proceed in different directions. You get your answers, but individual rhythm dictates the approach for obtaining them.