AN ANALYSIS OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS IN LIBRARIES

Abstract

Traditional methods of analyzing questions and answers as they occur in reference libraries are discussed and criticized. Methods of examining questions, the question-answering process, and answers to questions are evaluated. A pragmatic scheme is suggested which classifies answers by their formats, dividing them into exact-reproduction type, fill-in-the-blank type, short descriptive type, information-about type, and list-of-references type. This classification is applied to a collection of actual inquiries. Recommendations for further testing of the suggested classification are given, with a discussion of its value in present and future libraries

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1966
Accession Number
AD0635020

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  • Caroline E. Hieber

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  • Lehigh University

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