Using the World Wide Web for ResearchLearn How to Browse the Web Using Directories pp. 94-101Ackermann and Hartman state that there are two basic ways to find information on the Web:
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| All-in-One Search Tool - Visit All-in One Search Page (these tools merely list the Web search tools for you to search one at a time) |
| Boolean Searching - Use AND, OR, and NOT to refine a search expression. AND will narrow reduce the number of reported hits, because each keyword must appear on the page. OR will increase the number of reported hits, because, as long as one of the keywords appear on the page, the page will be reported to you |
| Browsing - A systematic approach isn't be used to find information, rather you are just clicking from one link to another (somewhat like surfing) |
| Directory - Subject catalog or topical list, created and maintained by people. Info is organized hierarchically. |
| Hierarchy - Information provided by a directory is provided from broad to specific. Each directory has its own hierarchy structure |
| Keyword Searching - Besides browsing through directories and virtual libraries, you can use keyword searching when you are looking for specific information |
| Meta-Search Tool - A program that will enable you to search multiple search engines simultaneously |
| Parallel Search Tool - Same as Unified Search Interfaces, used in reference to meta-search tools |
| Reference Work - A full text document that is self-contained with information (it stands alone) |
| Relevance - Search engines have formulas that are designed to determine how closely its pages match your search request. Usually if a page has a higher frequency of the keywords in its title and content then it will be listed higher in the hit list. |
| Robot (spider, 'bot) - A program designed to roam the Internet looking for sources of information that are not currently in its server's database or looking for sources that have been updated |
| Search Engine - A program that you can access on a server that will find pages in its own database that match a user's keywords (or search expression) |
| Search Expressions - A combination of keywords following a required syntax that often includes the use of Boolean operators to improve the search results |
| Search Form - A Web page provided by a search engine that provides textboxes (fields) for you to enter keywords or more specific search expressions |
| Specialized Database - A database that's a reference work that can be searched. Most are self-contained, but some may link to other sources. Many of the included resources are not accessible by search engines. |
| Spider - Same as robot above |
| Structured Browse - Looking through a directory by starting with a general category and working down in steps through subcategories that are more specific each step in the hierarchical structure |
| Subcategory - A category in a directory that is more narrowly focused than the category that appears above (before) it |
| Subject Catalog - A directory |
| Subject Guide - A resource that contains hyperlinks pertaining to a particular subject. (For example, I have been developing a PowerPoint Guide) |
| Syntax - is like grammar. Here we are concerned with the rules that a search engine has to make a more efficient search expression. This usually involves the use of AND, OR, NOT, NEAR, +, -, *, parentheses, and double quotes |
| Top-Level Category - Heading or main topic of a collection of information |
| Unified Search Interface - Same as Parallel Search Tools, used in reference to meta-search tools |
| Virtual Library -a database that's usually smaller than a directory that has information that is selectively chosen by librarians and other information specialist and can be used to find a reference work that would contain authoritative information about a topic |
- Browse directories by subject
- Directories are good for overviews
- Directories provide general information and resources
- Directories are created and maintained by people
- Databases of directories are generally smaller than those of search engines
- Search by Keywords with Search Engines
Directories Listed by Ackermann & Hartman p. 95
- Galaxy
- Go Network
- HotBot Directory
- LookSmart
- Lycos
- Magellan Web Guide
- Open Directory Project
- WebCrawler Channels
- Yahoo!
Do Activity 4.1 pp. 96-100
- Goal: Use a Directory to Browse for Information about Opera Resources
- Visit Open Directory Project
- Browse the listed subjects
- Click the "Arts" link since opera is one of the Arts
- Review the subcategories that appear
- Click on the "Music" link since opera contains music
- Choose the "Styles" link since opera is a style of music
- Click on the "Opera" link
- Click on one of the links that interest you
- Practice making a bookmark or favorite
- Netscape: Click Bookmarks/Add Bookmark
- IE: Click Favorites/Add to Favorites
- Click File/Exit to quit
Deleting Bookmarks
Chapter 2 provided other exercises for developing skills for handling bookmarks. You may want to go back and review them. |
Virtual Libraries Listed by Ackermann & Hartman p. 101
- Argus Clearinghouse (Address Change)
- Britannica
- Infomine
- Internet Public Library
- Librarian's Index to the Internet (Address Change)
- World Wide Web Virtual Library
Do Activity 4.2 - Use of Virtual Library pp. 104-108
- Visit: Internet Public Library
- Note: In Step 3 click on the link "Regional & Country Information" to get to the CIA World Factbook 2000 instead of CIA World Factbook 1998. The text doesn't say look for the "Regional & Country Information" link.
Search Engines Listed by Ackermann & Hartman
Use Boolean Operators pp. 110-111
To create more efficient search expressions use:
- NOT
- AND
- OR
- NEAR is another operator that's often used, but not mentioned here
Consider Using Phrase Searching p. 111
Usually this requires the use of double quotes before the first word and double quotes after the last word. This means you want pages that have the keywords in the same order and next to each other.
Be Aware of Search Engine Differences p. 112
Search engines differ by many factors:
- Database size
- Search options
- Speed
- Update frequency
- Relevance Formulas
- User Friendliness
- Syntax Rules
- Banner Ads/Advertising
- Commercialization - some list pages higher based on fees
Do Activity 4.3 - Use of Boolean Search Operators pp. 112-116
- Visit: WebCrawler
- Note: Step 4 states that you should click on "Advanced Searching". This link is no longer there. Instead, you should click on "General Search Tips". This will provide the information that is referred to later in the activity. In addition, the text should say "click on Full Description" rather than "Summaries" on step 6; and, the option to click on "Similar Pages" has been eliminated.
Do Activity 4.4 - Use of Phrase Searching pp. 116-120
- Visit: Go.com (was Infoseek)
- Note: infoseek.com is now www.go.com. I did not find any link on the home page of the search engine that will discuss either how to search or advanced searching or provide any search tips. Visit this page internet4classrooms.com/searching.htm for information regarding phrase searching which is the objective of this activity. I do believe that Go.com provides for phrase searching even though they do not provide any search tips.
You may also want to visit Google's page that discusses phrase searching.
In step 4 the text says click on "Search within results". That's not available with Go.com, but it is available with Google. This option is provided at the bottom of Google's Web pages.
Consider Using Meta-Search Tools pp. 121-126
These tools allow you to search several search tools (mostly search engines) simultaneously.
Search Engines Listed by Ackermann & Hartman
- All-in-One Search Page (Address Change)
- Dogpile
- Fossick.com: The Web Alliance Directory
- MetaCrawler
- SavvySearch
- Search.com
Do Activity 4.5 - Use of Meta-Search Engine pp. 123-126
- Visit: Dogpile
- Note: Step 2, p. 123, should say look for Help near the bottom of the Web page.
Then it should say look for "Advanced Search" in the upper left.
Perhaps the search expression in step 2 should be changed to congressional campaign contributions federal election commission; otherwise, you may not find the page referred to in step 3 [You may find it IF you dig down far enough. On Tuesday, September 18, 2001, FEC's page was ranked as #69 at GoTo.com.] The text does try to lead you to the Federal Election Commission.You may wish to visit these two pages that are referred to by Dogpile:
Copyright © 2001, RGPatterson, all rights reserved; last revised: 9/17/01