This book will answer two basic questions: First, what is the extent of the significant research resources you will you miss if you confine your research entirely, or even primarily, to sources available on the open Internet? Second, if you are trying to get a reasonably good overview of the literature on a particular topic, rather than just "something quickly" on it, what are the several alternative methods of subject searching--which are not available on the Web--that are usually much more efficient for that purpose than typing keywords into a blank search box, with the results displayed by relevance-ranking computer algorithms? This book shows researchers how to do comprehensive research on any topic. It explains the variety of search mechanisms available, so that the researcher can have the reasonable confidence that s/he has not overlooked something important. Provided by publisher.

Includes index.

Initial overview sources : specialized encyclopedias -- Subject headings and the library catalog -- General browsing, focused browsing, and use of classified bookstacks -- Subject headings and descriptors in databases for journal articles -- Keyword searches -- Citation searches -- Related record searches -- Higher-level overview sources : literature review articles -- Published subject bibliographies -- Truncations, combinations and limitations -- Locating material in other libraries -- People sources -- Hidden treasures -- Special subjects and formats -- Reference sources : types of literature -- Appendix A: Wisdom and information science -- Appendix B: Scholarship vs. quick information seeking.