Real World Research Skills: An Introduction to Factual, International, Judicial, Legislative, and Regulatory Research (Research Skills Series) [Hardcover]

Peggy Garvin (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1587330938 | ISBN-13: 978-1587330933 | Publication Date: September 30, 2006

This unique book is designed to help anyone who researches government information to increase their information literacy and show them how to become a more effective and efficient researcher.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Ms. Garvin's Real World Research Skills is a real find. As a professional researcher and professor, I found her book to be clear, concise, and supremely easy to use. Her examples of how to use the Internet to scour for accurate information on governmental sources are true gems. This handy little book will enhance the research skills of even old pros." -- -- Alphonse Vinh, Adjunct Professor, School of Library & Information Science, The Catholic University of America

"Peggy Garvin is the 'go-to' Washington expert on how to effectively locate, evaluate and leverage information from federal and state government websites. If you buy one book this year to assist you in researching on the web, make it this one!" -- -- Sabrina I. Pacifici, Founder, Editor, Publisher, LLRX.com and Author of the blog on law and technology news, beSpacific.com, Washington, DC

"Real World Research Skills helps web searchers target their research to some of the most reliable information sources -- government statistics, reports and analysis. It's a great pathfinder through the thickets of federal and state government resources, written in a format that makes it an essential desk book for the serious researcher." -- -- Mary Ellen Bates, Bates Information Services Inc.

"This gem is not too overwhelming for a novice, yet librarians and practitioners will also find it to be a very practical and valuable resource. It will prove its worth in gold at the reference desk." -- -- Deborah Lynne Wiley, Online, Jan/Feb 2007

"Though this book is aimed at those needing 'basic advice and techniques,' even experienced researchers can find a new resource or a bit of helpful advice. It will prove useful for information professionals, librarians, and anyone who needs to access government information." -- -- Kee Malesky, NPR Reference Library

About the Author

Peggy Garvin is an independent information consultant. Peggy has worked with government information, libraries, and information technology over her twenty-year career with the Library of Congress Congressional Research Service and in the private sector. She earned her Master of Library Science degree from Syracuse University.

Peggy contributes to TheCapitol.Net's Congressional Deskbook and edits the annual reference book United States Government Internet Manual (Lanham, MD: Bernan Press). Her monthly column, "The Government Domain," appears in the law and technology webzine, LLRX.com.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 116 pages
• Publisher: TheCapitol.Net (September 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587330938
• ISBN-13: 978-1587330933
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,307,454 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "A valuable tool for high school and college students.", December 1, 2006

By 

TheCapitol.Net - See all my reviews

This review is from: Real World Research Skills: An Introduction to Factual, International, Judicial, Legislative, and Regulatory Research (Research Skills Series) (Paperback)

July, 2009: The Second Edition (expanded and new lower price) is available on Amazon.

Real World Research Skills, Second Edition: An Introduction to Factual, International, Judicial, Legislative, and Regulatory Research (softcover)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Peggy Garvin is the 'go-to' Washington expert on how to effectively locate, evaluate and leverage information from federal and state government websites. If you buy one book this year to assist you in researching on the web, make it this one!"
-- Sabrina I. Pacifici, Founder, Editor, Publisher, [...] and Author of the blog on law and technology news, [...], Washington, DC


"Real World Research Skills helps web searchers target their research to some of the most reliable information sources -- government statistics, reports and analysis. It's a great pathfinder through the thickets of federal and state government resources, written in a format that makes it an essential desk book for the serious researcher."
-- Mary Ellen Bates, Bates Information Services Inc.


"This is an excellent basic resource for anyone in need of government information. It's very well-organized, with a good Scope note that clearly lays out the book's objectives. It includes important basics - how to think before you begin your research; how to work on unfamiliar topics; what to search and how to evaluate the results - which are not always included in books of this type. There's good advice on using advanced search options, understanding Boolean logic, and making a FOIA request, as well as a reminder that not everything is available online and print sources are still important. The layout is clear; charts and boxes make the information easy to find and use. The sections on state and international information are brief, but contain all the essentials.

Though this book is aimed at those needing 'basic advice and techniques,' even experienced researchers can find a new resource or a bit of helpful advice. It will prove useful for information professionals, librarians, and anyone who needs to access government information."
-- Kee Malesky, NPR Reference Library


"Ms. Garvin's Real World Research Skills is a real find. As a professional researcher and professor, I found her book to be clear, concise, and supremely easy to use. Her examples of how to use the Internet to scour for accurate information on governmental sources are true gems. This handy little book will enhance the research skills of even old pros."
-- Alphonse Vinh, Adjunct Professor, School of Library & Information Science, The Catholic University of America


"This gem will prove its worth in gold for those researching government topics."
-- Deborah Liptak, [...]


"While Real World Research Skills is a treasure trove of specific repositories and sites for information, of particular interest to me are the descriptions of the thought processes needed to obtain the information necessary for a research project. Also valuable is the discussion of the mindset needed when talking to an individual source, e.g., qualifying them as being a legitimate source, and making sure the researcher has a working knowledge of the issues so the source doesn't have to give a basic education. A valuable tool for high school and college students."
-- Davis Scott, Chicago, IL