Sometimes it's worth asking because researching it yourself brings little value compared to a honest exchange with a knowledgeable person. This exchange is a two-way process and a worthwhile path to travel along in itself, to which asking is only the entry point. Core to the hacker ethos and at the heart of the Internet, Unix, open-source and free software is that exchanging ideas increments both persons knowledge. The key lies in the way and the intent with which you ask: don't ask to receive, but ask to build yourself.
(I can't seem to write something about the workplace without getting personal and it wouldn't be wise currently)