Searching as Exploration
by Olivia Miller
1. The definition, according to Merriam Webster, of search is: to look into or over carefully or thoroughly in an effort to find or discover something
2. The definition, according to Merriam Webster, of exploring is: to look at (something) in a careful way to learn more about it : to study or analyze (something)
3. The definition, according to the American Library Association, of information literacy is: the set of skills needed to find, retrieve, analyze, and use information.
4. Together, they mean to look at, study, analyze, and use information to discover or learn more about something
5. To mean, this means taking information about a topic and using it to gain knowledge about something
5.1. This knowledge can be used for a variety of things
5.2. It can be used for:
5.2.1. School
5.2.2. Work
5.2.3. Class
5.2.4. Personal information
5.2.5. Anything that involves "research"
6. Often when you are looking a small fact or tidbit of information up, that often leads to looking up something else
6.1. This something else can lead to another piece of information
6.1.1. And another piece
6.1.1.1. And another
6.1.1.1.1. And so on
6.1.2. All of this "research" on your desired topic of interest, leads to exploring
6.1.2.1. Exploring your resources
6.1.2.2. Exploring your surroundings
6.1.2.3. Exploring those around you
6.1.2.4. Exploring anything that can help you achieve and grasp the information you are attempting to receive