Using Verbal Reports to Understand Cataloging Expertise: Two Cases

Abstract

The author discusses the use of verbal reports in protocol analysis to study the quality of cataloging knowledge and skills. The author begins with a discussion of the literature on expertise and on the use of verbal reports and protocol analysis in general, and proceeds to present two examples of the use of verbal reports collected as part of a research project on cataloging expertise. Using findings derived from the verbal reports, the author illustrates the process of hypothesis generation for further research.