Beyond Googling: Search the Web and Databases Effectively
Download as PPTX, PDF6 likes3,413 views
The document provides effective web and database searching strategies, highlighting the limitations of search engines compared to subscription databases. It offers tips on keyword selection, using search strings, and navigating the invisible web, along with resources such as Google Scholar and Infomine. The guide emphasizes the importance of accessing subscription databases for proprietary and scholarly information.
Beyond Googling: Search the Web and Databases Effectively
- 1. Beyond Googling : Searching the Web and Databases EffectivelyN. Mellendorf, LibrarianMaine South High School Library Resource CenterPark Ridge, Illinois
- 2. How Do Search Engines Work? Unlike our subscription databases, many search engines do not organize their results by subject, content or relevance.Keyword SearchingAny word on a page Not the subject or content of a pageResults: lots of irrelevant stuffRankingHow often a keyword occursHow often someone links to a pagePaid placement listingsThe Invisible WebGoogle indexes only 20% of the “visible” webDynamic vs. Static web pagesDatabase pages or Password protected pagesN. Mellendorf, Librarian. Maine South High School Library Resource Center. 2010.
- 3. Tip #1: Review Your KeywordsFind synonymsExample: handicapped or disabledTry alternate spellings Theater or theatreUse complete labelsNRA or National Rifle AssociationAvoid slang24/7 rule vs. zero tolerance policyN. Mellendorf, Librarian. Maine South High School Library Resource Center. 2010.
- 4. Tip #2: Find Terms that are Broader, Narrower, or RelatedTopic Example – SoccerBroader Terms Ball GamesSportsNarrower Terms Professional SoccerWomen’s Soccer Soccer OffenseRelated Terms FootballSoccer Coaches Soccer EquipmentUse sidebar features and other hyperlinked words found in your search results to explore these keywords and improve your results.N. Mellendorf, Librarian. Maine South High School Library Resource Center. 2010.
- 5. Tip #3: Improve Your “Search String”Use “Quotes” for an exact phraseUse AND to require all search termsTelevision and ViolenceUse NOT to exclude a search termMercury NOT planetCombine terms – a Boolean search“Steroids” and “Football” not “Baseball”Natural languageDo not use natural or “question” language unless the database or search engine is designed to understand it. Ask.com (formerly Ask Jeeves) is an example of a natural language search engine.Subject Headings vs. KeywordsA subject heading is the topic of an entire articleA keyword is simply the occurrence of a particular word in an articleBe careful to note whether you are searching by Subject Headings or KeywordsN. Mellendorf, Librarian. Maine South High School Library Resource Center. 2010.
- 6. Tip #4: Search by Domains and for Specific File TypesDomains -- one type of site.edu - a college/university.gov - a government site.org – an organization.com – a business Search example: mythology +site:eduFile types – one formatPDF -- Adobe PDF documentxls - Excel documentppt - PowerPoint documentdoc - Word document Search example: “evaluating web” +filetype:pptN. Mellendorf, Librarian. Maine South High School Library Resource Center. 2010.
- 7. Tip #5: Search the Invisible Web: Directories, Visual Search Engines, and Content-Specific Search EnginesNarrow your search from a broad categorySee how topics within a specific area are related May suggest new terms that are useful in conducting a searchMay be subject or organization specificN. Mellendorf, Librarian. Maine South High School Library Resource Center. 2010.
- 8. Tip #6: Search the Invisible Web:Googling DeepGoogle ScholarPeer-reviewed papers, theses, books, abstracts, and other scholarly literature. Caveat: May lead to sources from password protected sites.Google BooksGoogle Book Search matches your search terms—you see “Book Results.” These links will lead you to a library or online store where you may borrow or purchase the books. You may be able to see a portion of the book online; books in the public domain (no longer under copyright) may be completely available for use.N. Mellendorf, Librarian. Maine South High School Library Resource Center. 2010.
- 9. Tip #7: Search the Invisible Web:ipl2: Internet Public LibraryLibrary and Information Science professionals from a consortium of colleges and universities create and maintain the information collections of information.Selection criteria: availability, credibility, authorship, external links, legalityEvaluative criteria: authority, scope and audience, content, design, function, shelf lifeN. Mellendorf, Librarian. Maine South High School Library Resource Center. 2010.
- 10. Tip #8: Search the Invisible Web: INFOMINE“INFOMINE is a virtual library of Internet resources relevant to faculty, students, and research staff at the university level. It contains useful Internet resources such as databases, electronic journals, electronic books, bulletin boards, mailing lists, online library card catalogs, articles, directories of researchers, and many other types of information.” –from About Infomine “INFOMINE is librarian built. Librarians from the University of California, Wake Forest University, California State University, the University of Detroit - Mercy, and other universities and colleges have contributed to building INFOMINE.” –from About InfomineN. Mellendorf, Librarian. Maine South High School Library Resource Center. 2010.
- 11. Tip #9: Try Alternative ResourcesBooks (Online Catalog)WebPath Express(through Online Catalog)Other: Audio, Video, Personal Interview, Podcasts, Blogs, Wikis, etc. Check with your teacher first about using and citing these formats!N. Mellendorf, Librarian. Maine South High School Library Resource Center. 2010.
- 12. When to skip the Web altogether…Though Infomine and other deep Web search engines can improve retrieval of full-text articles, subscription databases and books still provide the best coverage of proprietary information—information that someone owns and expects compensation for use.You need full-text articles from magazines and newspapers: use a subscription library database.You need scholarly articles from peer-reviewed and academic journals: use a subscription library database or book.You need an in-depth, original, narrative treatment of a topic: use a book.N. Mellendorf, Librarian. Maine South High School Library Resource Center. 2010.