1. Fourth Edition Discovering the Internet Discovering the Internet Complete Concepts and Techniques, Second Edition Chapter 3 Searching the Web

2. Objectives Describe the search process Use different types of search tools and compare search results Apply search tool shortcuts and advanced features, including Boolean operators Perform searches using browser search features Identify and use specialized search tools Identify online research alternatives to search tools Chapter 3: Searching the Web 2

3. The Search Process Choose the best search tool Formulate the search query Perform the search Examine the search results Evaluate the credibility of the search results Chapter 3: Searching the Web 3

4. The Search Process Choosing the Best Search Tool – Easy to use – Returns results quickly – Large, frequently updated index – Most relevant search results returned – Clearly marked paid listings Chapter 3: Searching the Web 4

5. The Search Process Formulating the Search Query – The search query or question defines the information you seek – A query should include at least one keyword, the specific word that describes that information – To perform a search, enter one or more keywords into the search text box – A search tool then uses the keywords to identify relevant Web pages and return a search results list Chapter 3: Searching the Web 5

6. The Search Process Formulating the Search Query (cont'd) – Choose keywords carefully – Use specific keywords – More keywords equal more focused results – Surround a phrase with quotation marks Chapter 3: Searching the Web 6

7. The Search Process Formulating the Search Query – A targeted search seeks specific information using keyword combinations – An open-ended search seeks information on a broader scale using a simple keyword – A search that uses complete sentences is sometimes called a natural language search – Small, unimportant words in a natural language search query are called stop words, and are ignored Chapter 3: Searching the Web 7

8. The Search Process Examining the Search Results – Different search tools return different search results for the same keyword Use different algorithms to rank pages in search results list Gather different information for indexes May include paid or sponsored listings People typically look only at the first 10 or 20 hits; search again with different keywords or search tool, if necessary Chapter 3: Searching the Web 8

9. The Search Process Evaluating the Credibility of Search Results – Authority Owner or author expertise Primary sources – Objectivity Fair Unbiased Not skewed toward commercial interests Chapter 3: Searching the Web 9

10. The Search Process Evaluating the Credibility of Search Results – Scope and Quality Depth of coverage Amount of detail provided Accurate and up-do-date Compares favorably with other pages on the same topic – Design and Functionality Well-designed and easy-to-use page Chapter 3: Searching the Web 10

11. The Search Process Chapter 3: Searching the Web 11

12. Search Tools Directories – A human-compiled hierarchical list of Web pages – Organizes links in categories and subcategories – Users drill down through categories and subcategories to find specific information – A breadcrumb trail shows the hierarchical arrangement of categories and subcategories through which you have clicked – Yahoo! is one of the first directories Chapter 3: Searching the Web 12

13. Search Tools Chapter 3: Searching the Web 13

14. Search Tools Search Engines – Three major components Spider, Bot, or Web crawler Index Search engine software – A spider or bot automatically browses the Web going from link to link to add and update its searchable index Chapter 3: Searching the Web 14

15. Search Tools Search Engines – Typical information collected by a Web crawler Page title URL Meta tag keywords Occurrence of keywords in page All of the words on the page Internal links Number and relevancy of other pages that link to the page – Search engines use different algorithms to rank Web pages in a search results list – Most search engines also include paid or sponsored listings on the search results page Chapter 3: Searching the Web 15

16. Search Tools Search Engines – Some search tools provide special toolbars you can download as browser plug-ins Chapter 3: Searching the Web 16

17. Search Tools Metasearch Engines – Compiles the search results from multiple search engines into one list Some eliminate duplicates Watch for paid or sponsored listings in search results list – MetaCrawler – Dogpile – KartOO – Mamma.com – Ixquick Chapter 3: Searching the Web 17

18. Search Tools Chapter 3: Searching the Web 18

19. Advanced Search Techniques Using Boolean Operators – Complex searches may require the use of Boolean operators to include or exclude keywords AND – Keyword must be included OR – At least one of multiple keywords must be included NOT – Keyword must be excluded Chapter 3: Searching the Web 19

20. Advanced Search Techniques Chapter 3: Searching the Web 20

21. Advanced Search Techniques Advanced Search Forms – Used to structure complex search queries – Prompts you to specify Boolean operators and other criteria – Can filter results by: Language File type Domain – Great way to learn more about how to use specific search engine shortcuts and Boolean operators Chapter 3: Searching the Web 21

22. Advanced Search Techniques Chapter 3: Searching the Web 22

23. Browser Searches Search by using features and tools available in the browser – Enter keywords in the Address bar, Search box, Find Bar, and Research Explorer Bar Chapter 3: Searching the Web 23

24. Browser Searches Address Bar Searches – Enter keywords in the Address box on the Address bar – IE uses designated default search tool for Address bar searches Chapter 3: Searching the Web 24

25. Browser Searches QuickPick Menu Searches – You can add-on additional search engines to the QuickPick menu by selecting a search engine provider in the Internet Explorer Add-ons Gallery: Search Providers page – Open the gallery by clicking the ‘Add search providers’ button next to the QuickPick menu, and then clicking the Search link to open a scrollable and searchable list of search engine providers Chapter 3: Searching the Web 25

26. Browser Searches Chapter 3: Searching the Web 26

27. Browser Searches Find Bar Page Searches – Allows you to search the contents of a Web page – Press CTRL+F to display the Find Bar Chapter 3: Searching the Web 27

28. Specialized Searches People and Business Search – Use online white or yellow pages directories Yahoo! People Search Lycos Whowhere? WhitePages Superpages.com Chapter 3: Searching the Web 28

29. Specialized Searches Chapter 3: Searching the Web 29

30. Specialized Searches News and Current Events Search Chapter 3: Searching the Web 30

31. Specialized Searches Video Search Chapter 3: Searching the Web 31

32. Specialized Searches Social Media Search Chapter 3: Searching the Web 32

33. Specialized Searches Shopping Search Chapter 3: Searching the Web 33

34. Specialized Searches Research Alternatives to Search Engines – LexisNexis Abstracts and articles on business, news, government, medical, and legal topics – ingentaconnect Full-text online articles from academic and professional publications – FindLaw Legal resources portal Chapter 3: Searching the Web 34

35. Specialized Searches Research Alternatives to Search Engines – Hoover’s Information on businesses of all sizes – Dialog Provides information services to the business, science, engineering, finance, and law communities over the Internet or an internal intranet Government resources Federal Citizen Information Center Internal Revenue Service U.S. Census Bureau USA.gov Chapter 3: Searching the Web 35

36. Fourth Edition Discovering the Internet Chapter 3 Complete Chapter 3 Complete