With all of the new developments in information storage and retrieval, researchers today need a clear and comprehensive overview of the full range of their options, both online and offline, for finding the best information quickly. In this third edition of The Oxford Guide to Library Research, Thomas Mann maps out an array not just of important databases and print sources, but of several specific search techniques that can be applied profitably in any area of research. From academic resources to government documents to manuscripts in archives to business Web sites, Mann shows readers how best to exploit controlled subject headings, explains why browsing library shelves is still important in an online age, demonstrates how citation searching and related record searching produce results far beyond keyword inquiries, and offers practical tips on making personal contacts with knowledgeable people. Against the trendy but mistaken assumption that everything can be found on the Internet, Mann shows the lasting value of physical libraries and the unexpected power of traditional search mechanisms, while also providing the best overview of the new capabilities of computer indexing. Throughout the book Mann enlivens his advice with real-world examples derived from his experience of having helped thousands of researchers, with interests in all subjects areas, over a quarter century. Along the way he provides striking demonstrations and powerful arguments against those theorists who have mistakenly announced the demise of print. Essential reading for students, scholars, professional researchers, and laypersons, The Oxford Guide to Library Research offers a rich, inclusive overview of the information field, one that can save researchers countless hours of frustration in the search for the best sources on their topics.

This book, written by a reference librarian at the Library of Congress, introduces a distinctive, new approach to the fact-finding process. It provides an exceptional overview not only of the range of materials that exist, but, more importantly, of the several conceptual options that individuals have in using them.

This flexible text can serve as the basis of a course in information literacy or as a supplemental text or basic research guide in any course. Both a students' textbook and an instructional reference for educators, this brief but information-rich text teaches students what information literacy is and why it's such an important skill to develop. Authors Scott Lanning and Caitlin Gerrity concentrate on developing skills and behaviors that positively impact the information literacy process. They teach such skills as evaluating and using information and behaviors like exploring, analyzing, and creating. Updated to incorporate the new AASL standards, this third edition of Concise Guide to Information Literacy includes new information on the value of curiosity and choice in the research process, offers a new model of the research process (the Reflective Inquiry Model), and updates the Decision Points Information Seeking Model that describes how student researchers choose to use the information they've found. This book has proven to be invaluable for high school and college students learning about information literacy and librarians and teachers in upper high school and community college settings.

Understanding marketing research to make better business decisions An ideal resource for busy managers and professionals seeking to build and expand their marketing research skills, The Market Research Toolbox, Fourth Edition describes how to use market research to make strategic business decisions. This comprehensive collection of essential market research techniques, skills, and applications helps readers solve real-world business problems in a dynamic and rapidly changing business atmosphere. Based on real-world experiences, author Edward F. McQuarrie gives special attention to business-to-business markets, technology products, Big Data, and other web-enabled approaches. Readers with limited time or resources can easily translate the approaches from mass markets, simple products, and stable technologies to their own situations. Readers will master background context and the questions to ask before conducting research, as well as develop strategies for sorting through the extensive specialized material on market research.

This accessible, practice-oriented and compact text provides a hands-on introduction to market research. Using the market research process as a framework, it explains how to collect and describe data and presents the most important and frequently used quantitative analysis techniques, such as ANOVA, regression analysis, factor analysis and cluster analysis. The book describes the theoretical choices a market researcher has to make with regard to each technique, discusses how these are converted into actions in IBM SPSS version 22 and how to interpret the output. Each chapter concludes with a case study that illustrates the process using real-world data. A comprehensive Web appendix includes additional analysis techniques, datasets, video files and case studies. Tags in the text allow readers to quickly access Web content with their mobile device. The new edition features: Stronger emphasis on the gathering and analysis of secondary data (e.g., internet and social networking data) New material on data description (e.g., outlier detection and missing value analysis) Improved use of educational elements such as learning objectives, keywords, self-assessment tests, case studies, and much more Streamlined and simplified coverage of the data analysis techniques with more rules-of-thumb Uses IBM SPSS version 22

The only things librarians seem to encounter more often than acronyms are strings of jargon and arcane technical phrases—and there are so many floating around that even just reading an article in a professional journal can bewilder experienced librarians, to say nothing of those new to the profession! Featuring thousands of revised and brand new entries, the fourth edition of ALA Glossary of Library and Information Science presents a thorough yet concise guide to the specific words that describe the materials, processes and systems relevant to the field of librarianship. A panel of experts from across the LIS world have thoroughly updated the glossary to include the latest technology- and internet-related terms, covering metadata, licensing, electronic resources, instruction, assessment, readers’ advisory, and electronic workflow. This book will become an essential part of every library’s and librarian’s reference collection and will also be a blessing for LIS students and recent graduates.

Clinical trials have revolutionized the way disease is prevented, detected and treated, and early death avoided, and they continue to be an expanding area of research. They are central to the work of pharmaceutical companies, and there are many academic and public sector organizations that conduct trials on a wide variety of interventions, including drugs, devices, surgical techniques, and changes in behaviour and lifestyle. A Concise Guide to Clinical Trials provides a comprehensive yet easy-to-read overview of the design, conduct and analysis of trials. It requires no prior knowledge on the subject as the important concepts are introduced throughout. There are chapters that distinguish between the different types of trials, and an introduction to systematic reviews, health-related quality of life and health economic evaluation. The book also covers the ethical and legal requirements in setting up a clinical trial due to an increase in governance responsibilities and regulations. This practical guidebook is ideal for busy clinicians and other health professionals who do not have enough time to attend courses or search through extensive textbooks. It will help anyone involved in undertaking clinical research, or those reading about trials. The book is aimed at: Those wishing to learn about clinical trials for the first time, or as a quick reference guide, for example as part of a taught course on clinical trials Health professionals who wish to conduct their own trials, or participate in other people’s studies People who work in pharmaceutical companies, grant funding organisations, or regulatory agencies