Copyright Sheila Webber, 2002. 1 Mapping a path to the empowered searcher Sheila Webber Department of Information Studies, University of Sheffield, UK Abstract: This article considers the use of mindmapping as part of information literacy education. Important parts of the search process are: identifying the information need (or defining the information problem) and formulat- ing search strategies. Research has shown that these are areas with which people have significant problems. It is argued that current approaches to information literacy education often do not give enough attention to these aspects. Mindmapping and concept mapping are briefly defined. The use of these approaches as part of an undergraduate Information Literacy class is described. The benefits of using these techniques to educate people in information literacy in the workplace are highlighted. The article finishes by advocating that these approaches could be more widely adopted. 1. Introduction In order to be information literate, people need to be able to find the information to meet their needs. Even though search algorithms and interfaces are improving, people are more empowered if they know what to do if their Google searches do not magically turn up the results they want. A number of different problem-solving activities are involved in a successful search. This is reflected in models of information seeking (e.g. REF 1) and definitions of information literacy. For example, the Stand- ing Committee on National and University Libraries (SCONUL) Seven pillars of information literacy (REF 2) include: · Recognise information need · Distinguish ways of addressing gap [between the need, and what you know] · Construct strategies for locating · Locate and access A number of recent studies identify that key areas where searchers go wrong are those of problem definition (recognising your information need) and developing search strategy. The JUSTEIS report has shown that UK students are poor at search formulation, and sometimes vague about what it is they are searching (e.g. about name, scope, content of databases: REF 3) In the USA, Pollock and Hartley (REF 4) note in their study of two groups of internet searchers that “Nearly all participants from both trials had difficulty formulating good searching keywords even when they had all the information they needed” Jansen et al (REF 5) performed a largescale analysis of transaction logs of the former search engine Excite and found that an average a search query contained only 2.2 terms. A small percentage of users used modifiers: for example 6% used the plus sign, fewer used Boolean Operators, and, when further examined, mistakes in use of operators emerged (e.g. 38% of users making mistakes with the minus sign, such as putting it in the wrong place). This was presented at the Online 2002 meeting, and has been published formally as: Webber, S. (2002) “Mapping a path to the empowered searcher.” In: Graham, C. (Ed) Online Informa- tion 2002: Proceedings: 3-5 December 2002. Oxford: Learned Information Europe. 177-181. This copy was produced from the author’s original file. Copyright Sheila Webber, 2002