The Internet Section 1

The Internet, Section 1 Internet Search Tools Search engines 1. Individual search engine- uses computer programs called “spiders”, “crawlers”, or “robots” to match key search words with the web pages that contain them a. The results returned are lists of web pages and titles b. Does not search the Internet itself, but instead, searches databases of information about the Internet c. Google. Com, Ask.com, Yahoo, Live 2. Meta-search engine – sends requests for information to several search engines simultaneously and compiles the results 3. As the results are compiled, duplications are eliminated, thus yielding fewer results 4. A time-saver compared to a regular search engine 5. Google Custom Search allows users to control their search by specifying a. Name of the search engine, description, language, sites 6. Subject directories – searchable databases that are developed and maintained by human selection of sites to search broad subject categories and their descriptions a. Used in research and often linked to library systems, research databases b. Mostly made up of specialized databases, such as library catalogs. c. Searches for non-HTML formats (PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) d. Results in more reliable pages than search engines e. http://infomine.ucr.edu – academic librarians f. www.lii.org – Librarians’ Internet Index g. www.about.com 7. EBSCO host- premium online information resources for institutions a. Colleges and universities, Hospitals, and Corporations b. Government, K-12 schools, Public libraries 1. Libraryresearch.com – a subsidiary of EBSCOhost 2. ERIC (Education Resources Information Center) 3. CRIS (Current Research and Information System) 4. Incywincy.com 5. Completeplanet.com 6. Google Scholar Internet Search Methods 8. Keyword – Unique phrases, Synonyms or word variations a. Field – A search parameter, such as a title, date of publication, Useful for dirilling down and focusing on specific content 9. Boolean Logic a. Uses operators with keywords to narrow search parameters b. Operators include AND, OR, and “ “ + - NOT c. AND narrows results by searching for pages that contain both keywords d. OR expands results by search for pages that contain either of the keywords e. Quotations marks narrow results by searching for phrases

10. Boolean is implied in many search engines, but still a valuable method for narrowing 11. Miscellaneous search methods a. Different language support – searches for words in different languages b. Spell checker – gives suggestions if the words keyed for the search is missplelled c. Phonebook – uses phone numbers to search for locations and addresses d. Math/equivalents – solves basic math problems and converts equivalents Boolean searches use operators to include or exclude terms used in a search.