Sample interview questions: How would you handle a situation where a patron requests assistance with conducting a literature search on pharmaceuticals?
Sample answer:
Step 1: Active Listening and Clarification
- Listen attentively to the patron’s request and ask clarifying questions to understand their specific needs:
- What is the intended use of the literature search (e.g., research, clinical practice, patient education)?
- What type of pharmaceuticals are they interested in (e.g., specific drug classes, indications)?
- What is the desired level of evidence (e.g., systematic reviews, clinical trials)?
Step 2: Resource Assessment and Search Strategy
- Evaluate the patron’s information needs and select appropriate databases and resources from the medical library’s collection.
- Develop a comprehensive search strategy using relevant keywords, controlled vocabulary, and Boolean operators.
- Consider using specialized medical search tools, such as PubMed or Cochrane Library.
Step 3: Search Execution and Refinement
- Conduct the literature search using the developed strategy and retrieve relevant results.
- Review the initial results to assess their quality, relevance, and scope.
- Refine the search s… Read full answer
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