Information search involves querying written, text records documenting the communications of others
The key to discovering material relevant to your topic is your ability to use appropriate VOCABULARY – words and phrases – to search the communication streams
Another way to frame this is that when you are doing RESEARCH you are joining a CONVERSATION among other researchers who share your concerns about the issues and problems that engage you
To participate in any ongoing conversation you will need to understand the LANGUAGE – words and concepts – being used by the discussants
