[Sigia-l] re: the future of search

[Eric Reiss]

James Weinheimer wrote:

>What is research?
>It is finding all the relevant material on a topic.

Gee. If I don't find *all* the relevant material, does this mean I
haven't done research?

Conversely, if I do find *all* the material, and publish these
findings in a paper, does this mean that subsequent research papers
on the same subject are, by definition, a rehash of my work?

And who determines (or even knows) what *all* is?

With all due respect, I think this definition leaves a lot to be
desired. Granted, not all research materials are available on the
Web, but a remarkable number are. In many instances, I think the
80/20 rule applies (or will in fairly short order). In other words,
80% of the relevant information will be accessible on the Web and the
time and trouble needed to access the remaining 20% will (in many
instances) not be worth the effort. 

Keep in mind, please, not all research needs to result in a
dissertation; often the goals of the research are significantly less
lofty. Like finding out who Dolly Connolly was.

Dolly, whose picture graces a framed antique sheet music cover
hanging in my study, was the subject of a minor personal diversion
earlier this morning. I did the research on the Web and I was amazed
at how much I was able to accomplish in under five minutes. Ten years
ago, no library outside of the LOC would have been able to provide me
with the information I needed.

I think what I did was research - and here's MY definition:

If I don't have the answer in my head, *research* is whatever I have
to do to GET the answer.

Best regards,
Eric

e-reiss aps
copenhagen, denmark