Browsing, Networking, Contextualizing: Research Practices of Humanists and Implications for Library Instruction.

Using semi-structured interviews of faculty in literature, culture, and writing studies at a large public research university, this study investigates their research practices to help rethink disciplinary dimensions of information literacy. Findings showed a strong social dimension to their information-seeking practices and a reliance on informal methods. Themes that emerged were disciplinary perspectives, browsing and serendipity, colleagues and community, limitations in access and time constraints, and informal research training. The authors discuss implications for instruction, including ways in which librarians might demystify humanities research for graduate and upper level undergraduate students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Portal: Libraries & the Academy is the property of Johns Hopkins University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)