[Air-L] Looking for online Internet Research Training, and or Certification in Internet Research

[Amelia Kassel]

I'm not sure my comments will be of interest but decided to contribute
background information about independent information professionals (IIPs)
since many conduct Internet and other research as small businesses.  Also
included in my posting are training venues I'm aware of.

IIPs, most with graduate degrees in library and information science began
establishing research businesses in the late 1970s using proprietary
(fee-based) databases from aggregator vendors such as Dialog, LexisNexis,
and Dow Jones News Retrieval Service, now Factiva.  Known as the Big Three,
these companies were the major source of online information at that time.
By the mid 1980s, a second wave of professionals started research businesses
and came from fields such as computer science, market research, and some
from the hard sciences.

When the Internet became content-rich and prevalent in the 1990s, info pros
began integrating Internet research into the toolkit.  Today, library and
information science students,  librarians, and, information entrepreneurs
with small research businesses focus on the Internet as the primary source
of information.  Some also learn and hone skills in the use of proprietary
database systems, often more effective than Internet research for complex
research questions.  In addition to the aforementioned aggregator database
systems, there are many others geared to specific markets and user groups.

A range of educational and training possibilities are geared toward
librarians and information professionals. Finding the "perfect" training
venue for your interest may be somewhat elusive but I'll describe those I'm
familiar with.  In general, because of the ease-of-use, the vast majority of
Internet users are self taught and can use tutorials found on the Web.  At
the same time, many librarians and information professionals are trained in
and focus on developing advanced information retrieval skills.  Advanced
training is typically provided in graduate programs of library and
information science and through continuing education provided by library
associations such as SLA (Special Libraries Association -
http://www.sla.org) and at conferences, several of which are sponsored by
Information Today, Inc.  http://www.infotoday.com/conferences.shtml.  The
largest online industry conference for the library and information industry
profession in the world is coming up in December in London.
http://www.online-information.co.uk/index.html.  

The Association of Independent Information Professionals
(http:///www.aiip.org) is a U.S.-based international organization for IIPs
that provides a range of  member benefits and continuing education
opportunities including an annual conference, Webinars, discount programs
for proprietary vendors, and more.  One of the most valuable learning venues
for members is AIIP-L, a private discussion forum where we discuss business
development, information industry trends, technical issues, and particularly
apropos your question,  research methods, tips, and sources. Members learn
from each other.  In addition, as experts in our respective areas of
specialization, many of also teach and train. 

As an IIP since 1982, I've taught in several venues and currently teach
distance education courses about online searching, advanced online
searching, competitive intelligence research, and information
entrepreneurship at the graduate level.  I also give presentations and
workshops about online searching customized to associations, conferences,
organizations, and companies.  

Of potential interest to your question, I just completed giving two online
workshops for Simmons Graduate School of Library and Information Science
(GSLIS) Continuing Education.  These workshops run for one month and are
open to anyone.  The two just completed are:  1) Advanced Google and Beyond:
Find the Information You Need! And 2) How to Conduct Effective Company
Research: Search Strategies and Sources.  For the month of November, I'm
giving a workshop on Information Entrepreneurship and focusing on
independent research businesses.  If of interest to anyone, there is still
time to enroll and for more information about the wide range of Simmons
GSLIS CE workshops, see http://tinyurl.com/2xubt6.  I tentatively plan to
repeat these workshops in Summer and/or Fall of 2009.

Library and information professional journals, discussion groups, blogs, and
books round out the training / education picture. In addition to Bob
Berkman's book (mentioned by Bob in his previous post and a book I recommend
and use for an advanced online searching course I teach), Bob is also editor
of an excellent newsletter geared to information professionals, Information
Advisor, from Information Today. http://www.infotoday.com.  Information
Today Inc also publishes ONLINE Magazine and SEARCHER Magazine, both with
practical articles for searchers. I've contributed articles to both of these
and other industry publications during the past 10-12 years.  Another book I
require for some of my courses is Randolph's Hock, Extreme Searcher's
Internet Handbook.  http://books.infotoday.com/books/. 

One more pertinent training venue is InfoPeople
http://www.infopeople.org/workshop, currently running a distance workshop
Advanced Web Search Tools & Tips http://www.infopeople.org/workshop/391.

Amelia, MarketingBase 

Amelia Kassel's Mentor Program for Information Pros
Online Research Training and Consulting
Distance Faculty, School of Lib. & Info. Sci, SJSU http://slisweb.sjsu.edu
Simmons GSLIS CE Online Workshop 
http://www.simmons.edu/gslis/continuinged/workshops
Expert CI, Market, and Internet Research
707 829-9421;800 544-5924; Fax: 707 823-2713
http://www.marketingbase.com; mailto:amelia at marketingbase.com

-----Original Message-----
From: air-l-bounces at listserv.aoir.org
[mailto:air-l-bounces at listserv.aoir.org] On Behalf Of Jess Porter
Sent: Sunday, November 02, 2008 12:59 PM
To: air-l at listserv.aoir.org
Subject: [Air-L] Looking for online Internet Research Training,and or
Certification in Internet Research

Hello:

I just finished 23 years in computer science, and in a few years am looking
to do some Internet research from home.  I have done lots of research over
the Internet over the last 23 years, but have no formal training.

I am looking for online college courses or a certification program on
Internet researching, to learn all the tools and techniques.  I did scour
the Internet before coming here, but found very little.  It could be I
wasn't using the correct key words (?)

Also any good book recommendations would be much appreciated.

Thank You and Regards to all,


Jess

11 years in Apple and 12 years in Microsoft.  It was a Great career.

jessp509 at gmail.com
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