1. Education 499-R01
Search Basics

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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%

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Directory Search Engines

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

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

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

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

12. 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

13. 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….

14. 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

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

16. 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 and it then searches “excite”, “Lycos”, and “Google”

17. 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

18. 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?

19. 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?

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

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

22. Education 499-R01
Advanced Searching

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

24. 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

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

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

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

28. 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

29. Starting Your Search