Search Tools

 

 

Search Basics

 
Use descriptive words to define your query drugs
Add additional keywords Aids aids prescription
Add more specific words mare or filly instead of horse
  recipe chocolate chip +cookies
Put your most important keywords first in the string. Challenger disaster shuttle NASA
  hybrid electric gas vehicle
Type a question, a statement or enter a phrase. What was the date that George Washington died?
  Do-it-yourself band instrument repair
. Where do I find drivers for my Sony CD-ROM?
Know the default settings your search engine uses (OR or AND). This will have an effect on how you configure your search statement because, if you don't use any signs (+, - " "), the engine will default to its own settings. You will need to review each Search Engine or Browsing Directory to understand its default settings.  Google uses AND
Understand how to expand or constrict the query. Use the plus (+) and minus (-) signs in front of words to force their inclusion and/or exclusion in searches
+anorexia -bulimia
(NO space between the sign and the keyword)
When searching a document for your keyword(s), use the "find" command on that page. The Find command is normally located under Edit on the Menu Bar.
Note the Direction of the search.
The Find can be case-sensitive. 

 

Refining the Search

 Exclude words that are found in search results that are no where near your query subject.

 Assume we want information on the item you put on your walls.  Begin with paint, then restrict with paint -Jasc, next paint -Jasc -horse -"Paint Shop Pro"
Consider synonyms and variations of those terms.  Even close misspellings. color and colour, balloon and ballon
Use double quotation marks (" ") around phrases to ensure they are searched exactly as is, with the words side by side in the same order. "Bye bye Miss American Pie"
(Do NOT put quotation marks around a single word.)
Type keywords and phrases in lower case to find both lower and upper case versions. Typing capital letters will usually return only an exact match.  president retrieves both president and President
Use truncation and wildcards (e.g., *) to look for variations in spelling and word form. librar* returns library, libraries, librarian, etc.
Combine phrases with keywords, using the double quotes and the plus (+) and/or minus (-) signs. +"lung cancer" +bronchitis -smoking
(In this case, if you use a keyword with a +sign, you must put the +sign in front of the phrase as well. When searching for a phrase alone, the +sign is not necessary.)
In Boolean searches, always enclose OR statements in parentheses. "financial aid" AND (college OR university)
Always use CAPS when typing Boolean operators in your search statements. Most engines require that the operators (AND, OR, AND NOT/NOT) be capitalized. The engines that don't will accept either CAPS or lower case, so you're on safe ground if you stick to CAPS. "eating disorder" AND (bulimia OR anorexia)
Consider using an indexed catalog Yahoo, Google, and Altavista have indexes.
Advanced search functions can help. Search only within a site, or exclude a site.
Add date range restrictions.
Find linked or related pages.
Use another search tool, and there are plenty to chose from HotSheet, Search Table, Big Search List

 

Interpret the Results

CONTENT Is it updated consistently? (unless it's a resource that doesn't need updating, such as an online Bible)

Are there dates on the page to indicate when the page was first placed on the Web?

And when the page was last revised?

Are there any other indications that the material is kept up to date?

Are there lots of dead links?
ACCESS Do parts of it take too long to load?

Is it readable only in the latest/cutting edge version of the browser?  If so, does it state which browser it's optimized for?

Is it usually possible to reach the site, or is it overloaded?

Is it open to everyone on the Internet, or do parts require fees?  If it's free, do you have to register, and thereby "sell" some of your privacy so they can sell a user profile database to someone else?
AUTHORITY Is it clear who is sponsoring the page?

Are the site's sponsors and its motives clear? If you've never heard of an organization, confirm its credibility using other resources.

Is it clear who the author is?

Can the author be contacted so you can make comments, ask questions, or report dead links?

Is there any accountability for the information presented?

Is there a link to a page of the sponsoring organization?

If you need to make a complaint and cannot reach the author of the site, you may need to contact the sponsoring agency or service provider.
OBJECTIVITY Is any sort of bias evident?

Can you find links to all sides of the topics?

Unbiased sites even include competitive providers of products and
services.
DESIGN As you move deeper into internal links, can you tell where you are?

Is there some common icon/illustration/header?

Are graphics complementary to the information rather than a flashy distraction from it?

Does it show evidence of having been proofread carefully (no spelling/grammatical errors or faulty tagging)

 

Resources used during SIG meeting

Other Search Resources

 

Presented to the Internet SIG, May 3, 2001, 
by Vicki Carlson and Larry Gundy.  Email comments welcomed.
Last updated on 05/02/2001