Effective
Web Searching
With
increased amounts of information available electronically,
the web has become an integral part of the research
process. Along with
the many benefits, the web presents additional challenges to
searchers:
-Many searchers believe that everything they
need to know is available on the web
-The web is so easy to explore that researchers often get
off-task
-Getting lost in cyberspace is a common problem for those using hypertext
-It is difficult to integrate new information into an existing knowledge base
(Taken
from: Intentional Information Search Tools as Mindtools)
The
successful web researcher
is:
Systematic
Focused
Thoughtful
Thorough
In a word… Intentional
How to conduct an
effective search:
Know your search system
-help screens
-search examples
Not
all search systems interpret search queries the same way-it is
important to know the system you are using.
One of the easiest ways
to do this is by studying search examples.
Develop a Search Strategy
-Summarize the topic
-Identify the concepts
-Select the terms
-Combine the terms
A
systematic and focused approach to searching will yield
much
more relevant results.
Utilize Boolean Operators
AND
OR
NOT
Boolean
operators create relationships between search terms, as
evidenced by the examples below.
A=Pen
B=Pencil
C=Crayon
AC=Pen and Crayon (not Pencil)
BC=Pencil and Crayon (not Pen)
AB=Pen and Pencil (not Crayon)
ABC=Pen and Pencil and Crayon
Note: Most online information retrieval systems
utilize boolean operators
Evaluate
Search Results
Because
there is no overarching editorial control over content, and web information sources do not necessarily model print sources in terms of fact checking, bias,
and accuracy, the responsible scholar needs to apply critical
evaluation criteria to information taken from the web.
Scope: is the content at an appropriate level of depth/detail?
Authority and Bias: does the page have a religious/political affiliation?
Accuracy: are all facts/quotes referenced with a bibliography?
Timeliness:
is the information up to date? Can I find the publication date? Last update?
For
a more thorough explanation of the searching process,
including information on evaluating websites, check the UST
Libraries' Research guide at http://www.stthomas.edu/libraries/guides/e_guide/index.htm
Selected
Resources for Further Information
CSU Information Competence
Project- http://multiweb.lib.calpoly.edu/infocomp/
ERIC Digest - Information Literacy - http://www.ericfacility.net/ericdigests/ed427777.html
Educator's
Reference
Desk -
Information
Literacy- http://www.eduref.org/cgi-bin/res.cgi/Subjects/Information_Literacy
Information Literacy-University of Maryland at College Park - http//www.oit.umd.edu/units/web/literacy
Institute for Information Literacy through ALA - http://www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlissues/acrlinfolit/professactivity/iil/welcome.htm
National Forum on Information
Literacy-http://www.infolit.org
created
by Michelle Filkins,
09/02,
updated
10/04 DN
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