Searching and Evaluating Searching and Evaluating

Public Web ResourcesPublic Web Resourcesand and

Electronic Library Electronic Library ResourcesResources

The “public web” vs. “electronic library The “public web” vs. “electronic library resources”resources”

Two kinds of Internet or Web information areTwo kinds of Internet or Web information are

• the "free Web" is accessible through search tools such as the "free Web" is accessible through search tools such as Google or Yahoo Google or Yahoo

• the "invisible Web" (Electronic Library Sources) is the "invisible Web" (Electronic Library Sources) is accessible through library purchased contracts with accessible through library purchased contracts with content providers, with article databases such as content providers, with article databases such as ProQuest and Ebsco. ProQuest and Ebsco.

THE FREE WEB VS. THE THE FREE WEB VS. THE LIBRARYLIBRARY

The public (“Free”) WebThe public (“Free”) Web(We all know what that is, don’t we??)(We all know what that is, don’t we??)

Information on the World Information on the World Wide Web is: Wide Web is:

•widespreadwidespread•convenientconvenient•diverse diverse •abundantabundant•a preferred method a preferred method of student researchof student research

But it can also be:But it can also be:

•hard to findhard to find•unevaluatedunevaluated• lacking qualitylacking quality• irrelevantirrelevant• incomplete incomplete •not appropriatenot appropriate•costlycostly•constantly constantly

changingchanging

Electronic Library SourcesElectronic Library Sources(What are they?)(What are they?)

To access your library resources, go to this site: To access your library resources, go to this site: http://library.westwood.edu

• Electronic library sources (the “invisible web”) are sources often Electronic library sources (the “invisible web”) are sources often originally in originally in printprint though they are now in electronic form. though they are now in electronic form.

• Examples include:Examples include: the library catalogthe library catalog article databases, such as ProQuest and article databases, such as ProQuest and

EbscoHostEbscoHost electronic reference sources, such as electronic reference sources, such as

netLibrary and Encyclopedia Britannica netLibrary and Encyclopedia Britannica 

• Some electronic library sources advantages: Some electronic library sources advantages: indexingindexing citations citations abstractsabstracts full-text articlesfull-text articles

• Librarians can assist users in locating appropriate resources, Librarians can assist users in locating appropriate resources, whether print or electronic, and provide in-depth guidance for whether print or electronic, and provide in-depth guidance for research assignments.research assignments.

Electronic Library Sources: Electronic Library Sources: AdvantagesAdvantages

• SELECTION:SELECTION:   Library resources are Library resources are evaluatedevaluated and and selectedselected by librarians for by librarians for their reliability and authority.  While the Web clearly contains reliable and their reliability and authority.  While the Web clearly contains reliable and authoritative information, anyone with access to Web space and create a site authoritative information, anyone with access to Web space and create a site and mount it for display and access.  There is no quality control on the Web. and mount it for display and access.  There is no quality control on the Web.

• AUTHORITY:AUTHORITY:   Library provided electronic resources are Library provided electronic resources are compiled by compiled by professionalsprofessionals and evaluated for purchase or use on that basis.  and evaluated for purchase or use on that basis. 

• ACCESSACCESS:: Library users affiliated with an institution have access to the library's Library users affiliated with an institution have access to the library's electronic resources.  Libraries subscribe to electronic resources.  Libraries subscribe to high quality resources for a feehigh quality resources for a fee and and therefore restrict usage to qualified users.  Freely available Internet therefore restrict usage to qualified users.  Freely available Internet information may only sometimes be high quality, and are sometimes information may only sometimes be high quality, and are sometimes questionable.questionable.

• OBJECTIVITY:OBJECTIVITY: Some search engines and websites order your search results Some search engines and websites order your search results based on how much a person or group has paid to have their site included in based on how much a person or group has paid to have their site included in the search for particular words.  Library electronic resources will provide the search for particular words.  Library electronic resources will provide primarily an primarily an unbiased selectionunbiased selection of information sources to choose from, allowing of information sources to choose from, allowing you to make the judgment call.  you to make the judgment call. 

• INDEXING AND ORGANIZATION:INDEXING AND ORGANIZATION: Most publicly accessible search tools use Most publicly accessible search tools use only keyword searching.  Because the Web is so immense, it is virtually only keyword searching.  Because the Web is so immense, it is virtually impossible for someone to organize every document into a logical structure impossible for someone to organize every document into a logical structure and provide multiple access points (title, author, subject, etc.).  Library and provide multiple access points (title, author, subject, etc.).  Library provided resources are purchased from vendors who supply provided resources are purchased from vendors who supply high quality and high quality and consistent content utilizing sophisticated indexingconsistent content utilizing sophisticated indexing..

The Web or the Library?The Web or the Library?

Strengths of the LibraryStrengths of the Library

• to find articles in scholarly to find articles in scholarly journals journals

• to find articles published in to find articles published in popular magazines popular magazines

• to search databases that index to search databases that index articles in many academic articles in many academic disciplines disciplines

• to find books on your topic to find books on your topic

• to locate the full-text of articles to locate the full-text of articles or books that are copyrightedor books that are copyrighted

Strengths of the Public WebStrengths of the Public Web

• to obtain information on colleges, to obtain information on colleges, museums, non-profit organization, museums, non-profit organization, or companies or companies

• for very current information such for very current information such as news, sports scores, weather, as news, sports scores, weather, stock quotes stock quotes

• to research a well-known event or to research a well-known event or individual particularly if they are individual particularly if they are recent recent

• to use online job postings, to use online job postings, shopping, auctions, or travel shopping, auctions, or travel services services

• for opinions on a topicfor opinions on a topic

Electronic Library Electronic Library ResourcesResources

• To access your library resources, go to this site: To access your library resources, go to this site: http://library.westwood.edu

• See the link of “Electronic Resources” in the left See the link of “Electronic Resources” in the left column – note the many databasescolumn – note the many databases

• Start with GALILEOStart with GALILEO

• Off-campus, use your GALILEO password:___________Off-campus, use your GALILEO password:___________

• Try PROQUEST and ESCOHost first for full-text Try PROQUEST and ESCOHost first for full-text journal magazine and newspaper articlesjournal magazine and newspaper articles

• Next, try the tabs at the top for GALILEO databases Next, try the tabs at the top for GALILEO databases in your field and on your subject in your field and on your subject

• Usually when you click on a subject area, it will Usually when you click on a subject area, it will recommend a database: try this one first. It is recommend a database: try this one first. It is usually the largest and includes the most resources.usually the largest and includes the most resources.

EVALUATINGEVALUATING SOURCES SOURCES

EVALUATING SOURCESEVALUATING SOURCES Evaluation Criteria #1 for Evaluation Criteria #1 for Print or Electronic SourcesPrint or Electronic Sources

Ask yourself:Ask yourself:

Is the source:Is the source:•AUTHORITATIVE?AUTHORITATIVE?

•RELIABLE?RELIABLE?

•WELL-KNOWN?WELL-KNOWN?

•WELL-SUPPORTED?WELL-SUPPORTED?

•BALANCED TONE?BALANCED TONE?

•CURRENT?CURRENT?

STARTSTARTEvaluating Information Evaluating Information

SourcesSourcesEvaluation Criteria #2Evaluation Criteria #2

• S S – Scope– Scope

• TT – Treatment – Treatment

• AA – Authority – Authority

• R – R – Relevance Relevance

• TT - Timeliness - Timeliness

Adapted from: Iannuzzi, Patricia, Charles T. Mangrum II, Stephen S. Stichart, Adapted from: Iannuzzi, Patricia, Charles T. Mangrum II, Stephen S. Stichart, Teaching Information Literary SkillsTeaching Information Literary Skills, Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 1999., Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 1999.

STARTSTARTSCOPESCOPE• Are all aspects of the topic covered? Are all aspects of the topic covered? • Is the coverage in depth or basic? Is the coverage in depth or basic? • Does the information add new or unique information about your topic? Does the information add new or unique information about your topic? • Are there graphics or visual aids that enhance the text?Are there graphics or visual aids that enhance the text?

TREATMENTTREATMENT• Is the information presented as fact or opinion? Is the information presented as fact or opinion? • Is evidence provided? Is evidence provided? • Are conclusions logical?  Are there links to more information or references? Are conclusions logical?  Are there links to more information or references? • Is the information free from bias? Is the information free from bias? • Is the information consistent with information from other sources?Is the information consistent with information from other sources?

AUTHORITYAUTHORITY• Are the author’s qualifications presented?  Is the page signed?Are the author’s qualifications presented?  Is the page signed?• Is there any information about the author available?Is there any information about the author available?• Does the author have an educational background related to the topic?Does the author have an educational background related to the topic?• Does the author have other expertise related to the topic?Does the author have other expertise related to the topic?• Is the author affiliated with an educational institution or other reputable Is the author affiliated with an educational institution or other reputable

organization?  Is .edu part of the URL?  Is .gov part of the URL?organization?  Is .edu part of the URL?  Is .gov part of the URL?• Is the information from a web site for an organization that is reliable?  Do you know Is the information from a web site for an organization that is reliable?  Do you know

anything about the reputation of the organization?  Is there any information on the anything about the reputation of the organization?  Is there any information on the page about the organization?page about the organization?

RELIABILITYRELIABILITY• Does the information address your topic?  Is it appropriate for what you are doing?Does the information address your topic?  Is it appropriate for what you are doing?• Does the information provide evidence for your point of view?Does the information provide evidence for your point of view?• Does the information verify other information you are using from other sources?Does the information verify other information you are using from other sources?

TIMELINESSTIMELINESS• Is there a date provided for the web page and the information on it?Is there a date provided for the web page and the information on it?• Is the information sufficiently current for your purpose?Is the information sufficiently current for your purpose?• Regardless of the date, is the information still useful?Regardless of the date, is the information still useful?

EVALUATION CRITERIA #3, 4, 5,…EVALUATION CRITERIA #3, 4, 5,…WEBSITES ON EVALUATING WEB RESOURCESWEBSITES ON EVALUATING WEB RESOURCES

• Evaluating Quality on the NetEvaluating Quality on the NetHope Tillman (2003) < www.hopetillman.com/findqual.html > [6 Feb 04]Hope Tillman (2003) < www.hopetillman.com/findqual.html > [6 Feb 04]

A systematic approach to searching on the net and critically evaluating the data A systematic approach to searching on the net and critically evaluating the data • Evaluating Information Found on the World Wide WebEvaluating Information Found on the World Wide Web

Ernest Ackerman and Karen Hartman (2003) < www.webliminal.com/search/search-web12.html > [6 Ernest Ackerman and Karen Hartman (2003) < www.webliminal.com/search/search-web12.html > [6 Feb 04]Feb 04]

Internet evaluation guidelines, activities, and links Internet evaluation guidelines, activities, and links    • Evaluating What You Have FoundEvaluating What You Have Found

University of Waterloo < www.lib.uwaterloo.ca/libguides/1-2.html > [6 Feb 04]University of Waterloo < www.lib.uwaterloo.ca/libguides/1-2.html > [6 Feb 04] Includes useful questions to ask when evaluating a Website Includes useful questions to ask when evaluating a Website    • Search Engine Showdown

Greg Notess (2003) < www.searchengineshowdown.com/ > [6 Feb 04]Greg Notess (2003) < www.searchengineshowdown.com/ > [6 Feb 04] Search ToolsSearch Tools  • Search Engine Showdown, the users' guide to Web searching, compares and evaluates Internet Search Engine Showdown, the users' guide to Web searching, compares and evaluates Internet

search engines from the searcher's perspective. Developed originally as a way to keep track of search search engines from the searcher's perspective. Developed originally as a way to keep track of search engine features and search capabilities and to share that information with others, the site has grown engine features and search capabilities and to share that information with others, the site has grown to include: Search engine features chart, detailed search engine reviews, an online newsletter, to include: Search engine features chart, detailed search engine reviews, an online newsletter, statistical analysis, and search strategies. statistical analysis, and search strategies. 

• 10 Reasons Why the Internet is No Substitute for a LibraryMark Y. Herring (2001) < www.ala.org/ala/alonline/selectedarticles/10reasonswhy.htm > [6 Feb 04]Mark Y. Herring (2001) < www.ala.org/ala/alonline/selectedarticles/10reasonswhy.htm > [6 Feb 04]

The viewpoint of a college library dean: The viewpoint of a college library dean:    • Info Lit for Faculty; Thomas G. Kirk, Jr. (2003) < Info Lit for Faculty; Thomas G. Kirk, Jr. (2003) <

www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlissues/acrlinfolit/infolitoverview/infolitforfac/infolitfaculty.htm > [6 Feb 04]www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlissues/acrlinfolit/infolitoverview/infolitforfac/infolitfaculty.htm > [6 Feb 04]A brief guide provides an introduction to the concept of information literacy and model A brief guide provides an introduction to the concept of information literacy and model

information literacy programs. It is designed specifically for academic administrators and faculty. information literacy programs. It is designed specifically for academic administrators and faculty. • Evaluating Web PagesEvaluating Web Pages

UC Berkeley (2004) < www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Evaluate.html > [6 Feb 04]UC Berkeley (2004) < www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Evaluate.html > [6 Feb 04]    

Techniques to apply and questions to ask when using Web pages for assignments Techniques to apply and questions to ask when using Web pages for assignments   General General The complete reference source for APA style. The complete reference source for APA style. • APA Documentation StyleAPA Documentation Style

APA < www.apastyle.org > [1 Apr 04]APA < www.apastyle.org > [1 Apr 04]• Search Engines!Search Engines!

< www.searchengineshowdown.com > [28 Jun 04]< www.searchengineshowdown.com > [28 Jun 04]

WEB ACTIVITY # 1WEB ACTIVITY # 1Place in your Daily Work Portfolio and post in Threaded DiscussionsPlace in your Daily Work Portfolio and post in Threaded Discussions

• At your class website: http://kareyperkins.com/westwood At your class website: http://kareyperkins.com/westwood find the two web evaluation activities. Do the first activity; find the two web evaluation activities. Do the first activity; put it in your daily work portfolio and post it also in put it in your daily work portfolio and post it also in threaded discussions:threaded discussions:

• WEB EVALUATION ACTIVITY #1WEB EVALUATION ACTIVITY #1: Visit both of the : Visit both of the following websites. Choose one form of evaluation criteria following websites. Choose one form of evaluation criteria for sources, such as the START criteria or others discussed for sources, such as the START criteria or others discussed in the presentation or from one of the websites in the in the presentation or from one of the websites in the Webliography. Evaluate the two sites below.  While both Webliography. Evaluate the two sites below.  While both may present useful information, is it important for students may present useful information, is it important for students to be able to recognize the biases that some sites present?  to be able to recognize the biases that some sites present? 

•   NCPA - Crime and Gun Control - NCPA - Crime and Gun Control - http://www.ncpa.org/bothside/crime.htmlhttp://www.ncpa.org/bothside/crime.html

• Gun Control vs. Gun Rights - Gun Control vs. Gun Rights - http://www.opensecrets.org/news/guns/index.htmhttp://www.opensecrets.org/news/guns/index.htm

EVALUATINGEVALUATINGSEARCH ENGINESSEARCH ENGINES

What Makes a What Makes a Search Engine Good?Search Engine Good?

All search engines consist of three parts: All search engines consist of three parts:

(1) a database of web documents(1) a database of web documents

(2) a search engine operating on that (2) a search engine operating on that databasedatabase

(3) a series of programs that determine (3) a series of programs that determine how search results are displayedhow search results are displayed

Because the search engine business is competitive, Because the search engine business is competitive, most search engines also offer additional features that most search engines also offer additional features that are convenient or fun. The table below shows what can are convenient or fun. The table below shows what can vary within each of the three basic parts in search vary within each of the three basic parts in search enginesengines

1.1. Database of web Database of web documents/sizedocuments/size

How many documents does the search engine claim it has?How many documents does the search engine claim it has?How much of the total web are you able to search?How much of the total web are you able to search?

Freshness ("up-to-dateness"):Freshness ("up-to-dateness"):• Search engine databases consist of copies of web pages and other Search engine databases consist of copies of web pages and other

documents that were made when their crawlers ordocuments that were made when their crawlers or• spiders last visited each site. How often is the database refreshed to find spiders last visited each site. How often is the database refreshed to find

new pages?new pages?• How often do their crawlers update the copies of the web pages you are How often do their crawlers update the copies of the web pages you are

searching?searching?Completeness of text:Completeness of text:• Is the database really "full" text, or only parts of the pages?Is the database really "full" text, or only parts of the pages?• Is every word indexed?Is every word indexed?Types of documents offered:Types of documents offered:• All search engines offer web pages.All search engines offer web pages.• Do they also have extensive PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Do they also have extensive PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other

formats like WordPerfect?formats like WordPerfect?• Are they full-text searchable?Are they full-text searchable?Speed and consistency:Speed and consistency:• How fast is it?How fast is it?• How consistent is it? Do you get different results at different times?How consistent is it? Do you get different results at different times?• Is there a "family" filter? Does it work well? Is it easy to turn on or off?Is there a "family" filter? Does it work well? Is it easy to turn on or off?

2. The search engine's capabilities2. The search engine's capabilitiesAll search engines let you enter some keywords and search on them. What happens All search engines let you enter some keywords and search on them. What happens

inside?inside?Can you limit in ways that will increase your chances of finding what you are looking Can you limit in ways that will increase your chances of finding what you are looking

for?for?Basic Search options and limitations:Basic Search options and limitations:• Automatic default of AND assumed between words?Automatic default of AND assumed between words?• Accepts " " to create phrases?Accepts " " to create phrases?• Is there an easy way to allow for synonyms and equivalent terms (OR searching)? Is there an easy way to allow for synonyms and equivalent terms (OR searching)?

Can you OR phrases or just single words?Can you OR phrases or just single words?

Advanced Search options and limitations:Advanced Search options and limitations:• Can you require your search terms in specific fields, such as the document title? Can Can you require your search terms in specific fields, such as the document title? Can

you require some words in certainyou require some words in certain• fields and others anywhere?fields and others anywhere?• Can you restrict to documents only from a certain domain (org, edu, gov, etc.)? Limit Can you restrict to documents only from a certain domain (org, edu, gov, etc.)? Limit

to more than one or only one?to more than one or only one?• Can you limit by type of document (pdf or excel, etc.)? More than one?Can you limit by type of document (pdf or excel, etc.)? More than one?• Can you limit by language?Can you limit by language?• How reliably and easily can you limit to date last updated?How reliably and easily can you limit to date last updated?

General limitations and features:General limitations and features:• What do you have to do make it search on common or stop words?What do you have to do make it search on common or stop words?• Maximum limit on search terms or on search complexity?Maximum limit on search terms or on search complexity?• Ability to search within previous results?Ability to search within previous results?• Can you count on consistent results from search to search and from day to day?Can you count on consistent results from search to search and from day to day?• Can you customize the search or display?Can you customize the search or display?

3. Results display3. Results displayAll search engines return a list of results it "thinks" are what you are looking All search engines return a list of results it "thinks" are what you are looking

for. for. How well does it "think like you expect it think"?How well does it "think like you expect it think"?

Ranking:Ranking:• Are they ranked by popularity or relevancy or both?Are they ranked by popularity or relevancy or both?• Do pages with your words juxtaposed (like a phrase) rank highest?Do pages with your words juxtaposed (like a phrase) rank highest?• Do you get pages with only some of your words, perhaps in addition to Do you get pages with only some of your words, perhaps in addition to

pages with them all?pages with them all?Display:Display:• Are your keywords highlighted in context, showing excerpts from the web Are your keywords highlighted in context, showing excerpts from the web

pages which caused the match?pages which caused the match?• Some other excerpt from the page?Some other excerpt from the page?Collapse pages from the same site:Collapse pages from the same site:• If it shows only one or a few pages from a site, does it show the one(s) with If it shows only one or a few pages from a site, does it show the one(s) with

your terms?your terms?• How easy is it to see all from the site?How easy is it to see all from the site?• Can this be changed and saved as your preferred search method?Can this be changed and saved as your preferred search method?

4. Other features4. Other features

• Search engine designers try to come up with all kinds of features and Search engine designers try to come up with all kinds of features and services that they hope will allure you to their services. services that they hope will allure you to their services.

• Joe Barker, Copyright 2003Joe Barker, Copyright 2003

•Different search tools give different results. Different search tools give different results.

•A comprehensive search requires the use of more A comprehensive search requires the use of more than one search tool. than one search tool.

•Overlap between the various search engines is Overlap between the various search engines is surprisingly low. surprisingly low.

•This is due to each search engine indexing only a This is due to each search engine indexing only a portion of the web and no two indexes being the portion of the web and no two indexes being the same. same.

•Current estimates are that the largest search Current estimates are that the largest search engines index only 20-30% of the indexable web. engines index only 20-30% of the indexable web.

•Search engines may also index the same sites Search engines may also index the same sites differently, and the different search syntax will yield differently, and the different search syntax will yield different results.different results.

The Public Web:

Using a Variety of Search Engines

SEARCH ENGINESSEARCH ENGINESAltaVista AltaVista http://altavista.digital.com/http://altavista.digital.com/• one of the first major search engines, started in 1994 by Digital one of the first major search engines, started in 1994 by Digital

Equipment Corporation.  Equipment Corporation.  • searches millions of documents including newsgroups.  searches millions of documents including newsgroups.  • gives control over the format of your results gives control over the format of your results • provides both a simple and advanced method of searching.  provides both a simple and advanced method of searching.  • phrases can be searched with the addition of double quotesphrases can be searched with the addition of double quotes• useful especially with names of individuals and phrases.  useful especially with names of individuals and phrases.  • a powerful search tool particularly with the advanced searching a powerful search tool particularly with the advanced searching

features utilized such as wildcards, proximity operators, and features utilized such as wildcards, proximity operators, and results ranking.  results ranking. 

• click on the Help button on either the simple or advanced click on the Help button on either the simple or advanced search screen for detailed explanations.  The results are search screen for detailed explanations.  The results are displayed with a description taken from the web site as well as displayed with a description taken from the web site as well as the web address.the web address.

GoogleGoogle  http://www.google.com/  http://www.google.com/• uses sophisticated next-generation technology to produce the uses sophisticated next-generation technology to produce the

right results fast with every query. right results fast with every query. • returns relevant results using an automated method that ranks returns relevant results using an automated method that ranks

relevant websites based on the link structure of the Internet relevant websites based on the link structure of the Internet itself.itself.

Meta-Search Search Meta-Search Search EnginesEngines

• also know as multi-threaded enginesalso know as multi-threaded engines

• search several major engines at once. search several major engines at once.

• do not crawl the Web do not crawl the Web

• do not maintain a database of web pages. do not maintain a database of web pages.

• they act as a middle agent, passing on the query they act as a middle agent, passing on the query to the major engines to the major engines

• a quick way to determine which engines are a quick way to determine which engines are retrieving the best match for your information retrieving the best match for your information need. need.

• Because search engines vary in ability to Because search engines vary in ability to interpret complex searches, meta-search engines interpret complex searches, meta-search engines work best with simple searcheswork best with simple searches

• Highway 61 Highway 61 http://www.highway61.com/ A very http://www.highway61.com/ A very lighthearted approach to searching. From choosing how lighthearted approach to searching. From choosing how thorough you want your search to just laughing at the thorough you want your search to just laughing at the concept, this tool searches several search sites concept, this tool searches several search sites simultaneously to bring you your results.simultaneously to bring you your results.

• MetaCrawlerMetaCrawler    http://www.metacrawler.com This site does http://www.metacrawler.com This site does a search on multiple engines simultaneously, compiles the a search on multiple engines simultaneously, compiles the results, eliminates the duplicates and gives you a ranked results, eliminates the duplicates and gives you a ranked list of returns. It's excellent for getting a quick hit of what's list of returns. It's excellent for getting a quick hit of what's out there.  out there.  

• DogpileDogpile    http://www.dogpile.com/ This metasearch site http://www.dogpile.com/ This metasearch site can go through 25 Web search engines, more than two can go through 25 Web search engines, more than two dozen on-line news services or other types of sources, and dozen on-line news services or other types of sources, and sort the results by the search engine that found them.  If sort the results by the search engine that found them.  If you just want the facts, this is a good way to check which you just want the facts, this is a good way to check which search engine works best for you.search engine works best for you.

• Ask Jeeves! Ask Jeeves! http://www.askjeeves.com An excellent http://www.askjeeves.com An excellent beginner's site that's also good for general queries.  Ask beginner's site that's also good for general queries.  Ask Jeeves leads you through questions to help narrow your Jeeves leads you through questions to help narrow your search and also simultaneously searches six other search search and also simultaneously searches six other search sites for relevant Web pages.sites for relevant Web pages.

META-SEARCH SEARCH ENGINESMETA-SEARCH SEARCH ENGINES

• YAHOO YAHOO http://www.yahoo.com/ http://www.yahoo.com/ If you know exactly what If you know exactly what you're looking for, try using Yahoo!.  Yahoo! is technically you're looking for, try using Yahoo!.  Yahoo! is technically more of a directory than a search engine.  Choose from a more of a directory than a search engine.  Choose from a hierarchy of broad terms and continue to narrow your hierarchy of broad terms and continue to narrow your search.  Specify a keyword or set of keywords within a search.  Specify a keyword or set of keywords within a subject area, and Yahoo! will search only that area of the subject area, and Yahoo! will search only that area of the entire database.entire database.

• will search categories, titles, and comments to find listings  will search categories, titles, and comments to find listings  that contain all of your keywords. that contain all of your keywords.

• will not pay attention to case (e.g., "Dow Jones" is treated will not pay attention to case (e.g., "Dow Jones" is treated just like "dow jones") just like "dow jones")

• will stop after it finds 100 matches. will stop after it finds 100 matches. • to customize your search, you'll find several options on the to customize your search, you'll find several options on the

Yahoo! Yahoo! • Search page: search Yahoo's listings, Usenet newsgroups, or Email Search page: search Yahoo's listings, Usenet newsgroups, or Email

addresses; addresses; • specify whether you want matches to contain all of your keywords specify whether you want matches to contain all of your keywords

or at least one of your keywords; or at least one of your keywords; • specify whether your keywords should be considered as substrings specify whether your keywords should be considered as substrings

or whole words; or whole words; • control the number of matches displayed per page. control the number of matches displayed per page.

Directory Search Tools:YAHOODirectory Search Tools:YAHOO

Miscellaneous and Miscellaneous and OthersOthers

• DejaNews DejaNews http://groups.google.com/  This portion http://groups.google.com/  This portion of GOOGLE searches newsgroups only.  It is useful of GOOGLE searches newsgroups only.  It is useful for topics, but also very useful for finding people for topics, but also very useful for finding people who have communicated in newsgroups. The results who have communicated in newsgroups. The results will allow you to look at the communication as well will allow you to look at the communication as well as find out the email address of the individual.as find out the email address of the individual.

• Internet Sleuth Internet Sleuth http://www.Isleuth.com A 3,000 http://www.Isleuth.com A 3,000 strong collection of specialized on-line databases, strong collection of specialized on-line databases, which can also simultaneously search up to six which can also simultaneously search up to six other search sites for Web pages, news and other other search sites for Web pages, news and other types of information.  It's excellent for highly types of information.  It's excellent for highly specialized searches in any subjects in its detailed specialized searches in any subjects in its detailed directory.directory.

Searching the Web: Searching the Web:

Tips and TechniquesTips and Techniques

Use of Boolean Operators:Use of Boolean Operators:WHAT'S A "BOOLEAN"?WHAT'S A "BOOLEAN"?

• Boolean logic takes its name from British Boolean logic takes its name from British mathematician George Boole (1815-1864), mathematician George Boole (1815-1864), who wrote about a system of logic designed who wrote about a system of logic designed to produce better search results by to produce better search results by formulating precise queries. He called it the formulating precise queries. He called it the "calculus of thought." From his writings, we "calculus of thought." From his writings, we have derived Boolean logic and its have derived Boolean logic and its operators: AND, OR, and NOT, which we use operators: AND, OR, and NOT, which we use to link words and phrases for more precise to link words and phrases for more precise queries.queries.

ANDAND• Connecting search terms with Connecting search terms with

ANDAND tells the search engine to tells the search engine to retrieve web pages containing retrieve web pages containing ALLALL the keywords. the keywords.

FCC   and   wireless   and   FCC   and   wireless   and    communicationcommunication

• The search engine will The search engine will notnot return pages with just the word return pages with just the word FCC. Neither will it return pages FCC. Neither will it return pages with the word FCC and the word with the word FCC and the word wireless. wireless.

• The search engine will The search engine will onlyonly return pages where the words return pages where the words FCC, wireless, and FCC, wireless, and communication all appear communication all appear somewhere on the page. somewhere on the page.

• Thus, AND helps to narrow your Thus, AND helps to narrow your search results as it limits results search results as it limits results to pages where all the keywords to pages where all the keywords appear. appear.

OROR• Linking search terms with Linking search terms with OROR tells the tells the

search engine to retrieve web pages search engine to retrieve web pages containing containing ANYANY and and ALLALL keywords. keywords.

(FCC  or  wireless  or (FCC  or  wireless  or  communication) communication)

• When OR is used, the search engine When OR is used, the search engine returns pages with a single keyword, returns pages with a single keyword, several keywords, and all keywords. several keywords, and all keywords. Thus, OR expands your search Thus, OR expands your search results. Use OR when you have results. Use OR when you have common synonyms for a keyword. common synonyms for a keyword. Surround OR statements with Surround OR statements with parentheses for best results. To parentheses for best results. To narrow results as much as possible, narrow results as much as possible, combine OR statements with AND combine OR statements with AND statements. statements.

• For example, the following search For example, the following search statement locates information on statement locates information on purchasing a used car: purchasing a used car:

(car  or  automobile  or  vehicle)  (car  or  automobile  or  vehicle)  and  (buy  or  purchase)  and  usedand  (buy  or  purchase)  and  used

BOOLEAN  AND  NOTBOOLEAN  AND  NOT• AND NOT AND NOT tells the search engine to retrieve web pages tells the search engine to retrieve web pages

containing one keyword but not the other. For example, if you containing one keyword but not the other. For example, if you are interested in animals, but not football, try this:are interested in animals, but not football, try this:

bears  bears   and  not    and  not   ChicagoChicagodolphins dolphins and notand not Miami Miami

• The above examples instruct the search engine to return web The above examples instruct the search engine to return web pages about bears, NOT about the football team; about pages about bears, NOT about the football team; about dolphins,dolphins, not not web pages about the "Miami Dolphins" football web pages about the "Miami Dolphins" football team. team.

• Use Use AND NOTAND NOT when you have a keyword that has multiple when you have a keyword that has multiple meanings. The need for AND NOT often becomes apparent meanings. The need for AND NOT often becomes apparent after you perform an initial search. If your search results after you perform an initial search. If your search results contain irrelevant results (e.g., Saturn the car rather than contain irrelevant results (e.g., Saturn the car rather than Saturn the planet), consider using AND NOT to filter out the Saturn the planet), consider using AND NOT to filter out the undesired websites.undesired websites.

IMPLIED  BOOLEAN:  PLUS  & IMPLIED  BOOLEAN:  PLUS  &  MINUS MINUS

• In many search engines, the plus and minus symbols can In many search engines, the plus and minus symbols can be used as alternatives to full Boolean AND and AND NOT. be used as alternatives to full Boolean AND and AND NOT. The The plus sign (+)plus sign (+) is the equivalent of AND, and the is the equivalent of AND, and the minus minus sign (-)sign (-) is the equivalent of AND NOT. There is is the equivalent of AND NOT. There is no spaceno space between the plus or minus sign and the keyword. between the plus or minus sign and the keyword.

• NOTE:NOTE: AltaVista's Simple Search AltaVista's Simple Search requiresrequires the use of plus the use of plus and minus rather than AND, OR, and AND NOT. and minus rather than AND, OR, and AND NOT.

• +welding   +process+welding   +process • +Saturn   -car+Saturn   -car • couch   sofacouch   sofa

• IMPORTANT:IMPORTANT: Use AltaVista's Simple Search for implied Use AltaVista's Simple Search for implied Boolean (+/-) searches, and use AltaVista's Advanced Boolean (+/-) searches, and use AltaVista's Advanced Search for full Boolean (AND, OR, AND NOT) searches.Search for full Boolean (AND, OR, AND NOT) searches.

PHRASE  SEARCHINGPHRASE  SEARCHING• Surrounding a group of words with double quotes tells the Surrounding a group of words with double quotes tells the

search engine to only retrieve documents in which those search engine to only retrieve documents in which those words appear side-by-side. Phrase searching is a powerful words appear side-by-side. Phrase searching is a powerful search technique for significantly narrowing your search search technique for significantly narrowing your search results, and it should be used as often as possible. results, and it should be used as often as possible.

• "John F. Kennedy" "John F. Kennedy" • "Walt Disney World" "Walt Disney World" • "trail of tears“"trail of tears“

• For best results, combine phrase searching with implied For best results, combine phrase searching with implied Boolean (+/-) or full Boolean (AND, OR, and AND NOT) logic. Boolean (+/-) or full Boolean (AND, OR, and AND NOT) logic.

• +"heart disease"   +cause +"heart disease"   +cause • "heart disease"   and   cause"heart disease"   and   cause

• The above example tells the search engine to retrieve pages The above example tells the search engine to retrieve pages where the words heart disease appear side-by-side and the where the words heart disease appear side-by-side and the word cause appears somewhere else on the page.word cause appears somewhere else on the page.

NOTE ON IMPLIED BOOLEAN LOGIC NOTE ON IMPLIED BOOLEAN LOGIC (+/-)(+/-)

• When a phrase search is combined with When a phrase search is combined with additional keywords using implied Boolean logic additional keywords using implied Boolean logic (+/-), you must put a plus or minus sign before (+/-), you must put a plus or minus sign before the phrase as well as the other keywords. If the the phrase as well as the other keywords. If the search involves a phrase with no additional search involves a phrase with no additional keywords (e.g., "Walt Disney World"), the plus keywords (e.g., "Walt Disney World"), the plus sign before the quotes is optional. sign before the quotes is optional.

• Evaluating information found on the Internet is Evaluating information found on the Internet is critical to successful information retrieval.  This critical to successful information retrieval.  This session will look at a variety of ways to evaluate session will look at a variety of ways to evaluate Web information.Web information.

WEB ACTIVITY # 2WEB ACTIVITY # 2Place in your Daily Work Portfolio and post in Threaded DiscussionsPlace in your Daily Work Portfolio and post in Threaded Discussions

• At your class website: http://kareyperkins.com/westwood find the two web evaluation At your class website: http://kareyperkins.com/westwood find the two web evaluation activities. Now do the second activity; put it in your daily work portfolio and post it also in activities. Now do the second activity; put it in your daily work portfolio and post it also in threaded discussions:threaded discussions:

• WEB EVALUATION ACTIVITY #2:WEB EVALUATION ACTIVITY #2: Web Search Activity: Web Search Activity: • Try the following search using the Google search engine.Try the following search using the Google search engine.

1.  Type 1.  Type trail of tears trail of tears in the search box and click the in the search box and click the Google SearchGoogle Search button. button.• How many hits?  ____________________How many hits?  ____________________• Google searched Google searched eacheach of the words you entered separately. You probably got close to of the words you entered separately. You probably got close to

400,000 pages. Looking through even a fraction of these is time consuming and frustrating!400,000 pages. Looking through even a fraction of these is time consuming and frustrating!• This time, enclose your search terms in quotation marks. This time, enclose your search terms in quotation marks.

2.  Type 2.  Type "trail of tears" "trail of tears" in the search box and click the in the search box and click the Google SearchGoogle Search button. button.• How many hits?  ____________________How many hits?  ____________________• When you put quotes around trail of tears, it ensured that the words were searched together When you put quotes around trail of tears, it ensured that the words were searched together

as a phraseas a phrase. You should reduced your total retrieval (hits), by approximately 75%. You should reduced your total retrieval (hits), by approximately 75%• 3.  Type 3.  Type "trail of tears" "andrew jackson" "trail of tears" "andrew jackson" in the search box and click the in the search box and click the Google SearchGoogle Search

button. Be sure to include quotation marks around both phrases.button. Be sure to include quotation marks around both phrases.• How many hits?  ____________________How many hits?  ____________________• Adding the name of Andrew Jackson makes the search more specific. He's the President who Adding the name of Andrew Jackson makes the search more specific. He's the President who

ordered the removal of the Cherokees from lands east of the Mississippi River. You should ordered the removal of the Cherokees from lands east of the Mississippi River. You should have gotten even fewer returns, around 7,000.have gotten even fewer returns, around 7,000.

• 4.  Finally, click on Google's 4.  Finally, click on Google's Advanced SearchAdvanced Search located at the top of the search page. Your located at the top of the search page. Your previous search terms should already be entered in the boxes. Type previous search terms should already be entered in the boxes. Type .edu.edu in the box to the  in the box to the far right of far right of Domain. Domain. Then click the Then click the Google SearchGoogle Search button.  button. 

• How many hits?  ____________________How many hits?  ____________________• By limiting your search to By limiting your search to .edu.edu (educational sites), you have narrowed your results to about (educational sites), you have narrowed your results to about

1,000 hits. You could also try 1,000 hits. You could also try .org.org sites or you could add additional terms to refine your sites or you could add additional terms to refine your results.results.

Now, let’s go to the Now, let’s go to the library…library…

• To access your library resources, go to this site: To access your library resources, go to this site: http://library.westwood.edu http://library.westwood.edu

• See the link of “Electronic Resources” in the left column – See the link of “Electronic Resources” in the left column – note the many databasesnote the many databases

• Start with GALILEOStart with GALILEO• Off-campus, use your GALILEO password:___________Off-campus, use your GALILEO password:___________• Try PROQUEST and ESCOHost first for full-text journal Try PROQUEST and ESCOHost first for full-text journal

magazine and newspaper articlesmagazine and newspaper articles• Next, try the tabs at the top for GALILEO databases in your Next, try the tabs at the top for GALILEO databases in your

field and on your subject field and on your subject • Usually when you click on a subject area, it will Usually when you click on a subject area, it will

recommend a database: try this one first. It is usually the recommend a database: try this one first. It is usually the largest and includes the most resources.largest and includes the most resources.

• Put in your search terms and see what articles you can find Put in your search terms and see what articles you can find on your topic.on your topic.

• Play with the search terms and search engines to find the Play with the search terms and search engines to find the right kinds of sources and right number of sources.right kinds of sources and right number of sources.