Education 499 R 01 Search Basics Finding Stuff

Education 499 -R 01 Search Basics

Finding Stuff on the Web--HELP!! • Difficult & Frustrating – Web info. not indexed in standard way • Search Engines help locate material. – Can be helpful, but you must understand how they work and how to best use them.

Search Vocabulary • Search Engines: a category for all types of Internet search tools. • Search Query: the word or combination of words utilized to focus your search.

Different Types of Search Engines • Three Main types: – Directory – Key Word – Meta • In each: – Pages/sites are collected in databases. – Largest databases of web content = less than 20%

Different Types of Searches • Sometimes you only have a general idea of what your looking for. • Others times you are looking for something very specific. • The key is using the appropriate type of search engine & strategy for the type of search implemented.

Directory Search Engines • Directory engines utilize databases collected and organized by humans. • Often called subject trees – start with a few main categories and then branch out into subcategories, topics, and subtopics.

Directory Search Engines

Directory Search Engines • Subject headings are defined by humans • You match your topic to their categorization. – Similar to Library Card Catalog

Directory Search Engines • Upside: – You don’t have to know exactly what you looking for. – One can browse related sites

Directory Search Engines • Downside: – Your topic definitions don’t match the predetermined categorization. – The “tree” doesn’t follow the same logic you might apply. – Limited database • Best for general info. on popular topics

Key Word Search Engines • Key word engines utilize programs called “spiders” to crawl the Web and log the words on each page.

Using Key Word Search Engines • Searcher places search query in search box. • The search engine scans its database and returns sites containing the word or words specified in the search query. • Results are ranked by the search engine

Key Word Search Engines • Different engines use different ranking strategies (often a trade secret) – Word frequency – Placement in document – Popularity of document – Number of links to document – Business relationships etc….

Key Word Search Engines • Upside: – Easier to search for specific info. – Don’t need to match your topic definitions with predetermined categorization. – Much larger databases

Key Word Search Engines • Downside: – Must use search strategies for success – May get thousands of “hits” – Can be time consuming

Meta-Search Engines • Work the same as key word search engines • Put in one search query and search a variety of search engines. – don’t have own database • I. E. I put my query into www. dogpile. com and it then searches “excite”, “Lycos”, and “Google”

Search Strategies • Preparation is the key to a successful search. • Choose which search engine type will be most successful for the type of search. – Directory=General search – Key Word=More specific search – Meta=Want lots of results

Search Strategies (Preparation) • State what you want to find – I want to find information on popular methods of learning to swim. – What types of questions should I ask when purchasing a car? – When do Canadian Geese migrate?

Search Strategies (Preparation) • Identify Key Words – I want to find information on popular methods of learning to swim. – What types of questions should I ask when purchasing a car? – When do Canadian Geese migrate?

Search Strategies (Preparation) • Select synonyms – Popular – methods – learning – swim Common Favorite ways techniques learn study Swimming

Search Strategies • Utilize all of these words in your query. • Try to use a minimum of 5 words per query. • Remember to check Spelling

Education 499 -R 01 Advanced Searching

“Advanced” Searches • Most search engines allow for “advanced” strategies. – Most helpful when being very specific. • Not all work exactly the same.

Boolean Searches • You can add “and” to make sure all words are included in a document. – Car and purchase • You can add “or” to include any or all word combinations. – Purchase or lease • You can combine these. – Car and purchase or lease

Boolean Searches • You can add “not” to make sure certain words are not included. • Car and repair not purchase

Phrases Searching • You can use “ “ to define phrases – “George W. Bush” • Or combine with Boolean. • “George W. Bush” and driving not President

Search Titles • To narrow down searches you may want only documents with the key words in the title. • Title: ”George W. Bush” and education

Internal Searches • When you access a site, look for a search box or search button that allows for internal navigation. – Can be more efficient than browsing – You can apply same strategies

Starting Your Search