An example of a broad factual question is, 'What type of person typically contracts illness?' When presented with multiple-choice options such as (a) hospital, (b) head, (c) sick person, (d) elderly person, and (e) doctor’s office, the correct answer is (d). The reasoning is that the question seeks a person susceptible to illness, and elderly individuals fit this description as they often have weaker immune systems.

Example of a Broad Factual Question with Multiple-Choice Options

Specific factual questions are inquiries designed to elicit a direct, verifiable answer about a particular subject, contrasting with broader, more open-ended questions. Examples of such questions include:

* 'Do hamsters provide food for any animals?'
* 'Can you use Microsoft Office without internet?'

Examples of Specific Factual Questions

To categorize the answer, reference librarians must ask themselves the following: 

- Will it be time-consuming or quick?
- Is it simple or complex?
- Is it current or retrospective?
- Is it specific or cross-disciplinary?
- Will it require a single source or multiple sources?
- Is it user appropriate?


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A reference librarian must do the following to find an adequate answer for the user:

1- Categorize the answer.

2- Visualize how the answer will appear

3- Regularly assess to see if the progress is aimed properly

Stages of Answering the Question in Reference Services

Cassell, K. A., & Hiremath, U. (2018). Reference and information services: An introduction (Fourth ed.). ALA Neal-Schuman.

Reference and information services: An introduction (Fourth ed.)

Reference of Foundations of Large Language Models Course

Stage 1: Categorize the Answer

Reference librarians must visualize the location of the answer by identifying the format (print/internet/database), source type (textual/graphical/statistical), and appropriateness (reference/circulating/children). 


Stage 2: Visualize the Answer

To assess progress towards a relevant answer, reference librarians must check with the user while exploring a single resource, looking at subcategories of a question, or providing short summaries of resources.


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