While it is true that there is a great deal of information available on the Internet it is often quite difficult to
find that information. A variety of tools including search engines, metasearch engines, directories, and databases
can be used to access information on the Internet. However, most these tools work differently. That can make it difficult to
find what you need.
Keep in mind that the techniques introduced in this tutorial are the ones that you will most commonly
encounter. When surfing the web, it is a good idea to become become familiar
with two or three search egnines. Once you understand the techniques discussed in this tutorial you will be able
to understand the specifics of any search engine. Just remember to consult the help files of the search engine you are
using to confirm that the search techniques that you want to use will be recognized.
The following pages discuss the methods that can be used to search a variety of online tools including
search engines, metasearch engines, directories, and databases. Before we start looking at the specifics of online
research it is necessary to define some important terms.
Search Engines: Tools that help you find information
in a variety of online resources. Search engines such as Yahoo, Google, and Hotbot are used to find information
on the World Wide Web. Search engines are also used in Informational databases such as EBSCOhost,
ProQuest, and
Faulkner FACCTs. Note: The research techniques presented in this tutorial can be used
in any search engine including the ones listed above.
Keywords: Word(s) used to search any online search tool including search engines, metasearch
engines, and databases.
Informational Databases: Large collections of magazines, newspapers, and journals. Informational
Databases are delivered through the Internet but for the most part they are not free services. Most libraries will make
some databases available to you. The DeVry North Brunswick Library has the following
databases: EBSCOhost,
ProQuest, Academic Universe, Books
in Print, Britannica Online,
Moody's, and Faulkner FACCTs. Take a
look at a full description of these databases.
Metasearch Engine: An online tool that allows you to search multiple search engines at one time.
Examples: Metacrawler, Dogpile, Profusion.
Directory: An online tool that categorizes web sites according to subject. Example: Yahoo, BUBL,
and open directory project. Most directories may also be used as search engines.
Basic Search: Allows you to enter keywords and search statements. May not provide access to all
of the search engine's features.
Advanced Search: Provides more search options than Basic Search and will allow you to perform a
more precise search.
Boolean operators include AND, OR, and
NOT (ANDNOT or AND NOT).
Boolean operators tell the search engine which terms you want
to include or exclude from your search results. By default
most search engines will perform an AND search regardless of
whether or not you use the AND operator.
Most search engines and online databases recognize Boolean operators. If you visit a search
engine and are unsure as to what operators it recognizes be sure to visit that engine's help
files. Remember, every search engine works differently; do not assume that all search
engines recognize all Boolean operators.
The following pages describe each Boolean operator in detail and provide examples of which
search engines accept which operators.
Produces search results with all of your keywords.
Example: government AND extraterrestrials
Using the AND operator will narrow down your search because it
will tell the search engine to produce results that have all of the terms connected
by AND.
In the diagram below your keywords are represented by two circles. The area where the circles overlap represents
the area where both words appear together. This area is shaded because a search for government AND
extraterrestrials requires that the search engine return results that have both words.
If you assume that the area of the circles represents the number of hits these two words will produce you can see that performing
a search using the AND operator returns a comparatively small set of hits.
Produces search results with either or both of your keywords.
Example: extraterrestrials OR aliens
Using the OR operator will expand
your search because it will tell the search engine to produce results
that have either or both terms.
The OR operator is useful when
you are trying to find instances of similar words. A person doing
research on aliens may very well be interested in extraterrestrials
as well.
In the diagram below the area of the circles represents
the number of hits your keywords will produce. Using the OR operator allows the search engine to produce results
that have either term or both terms. As a result, both circles are fully shaded and it is likely that this kind of search
will produce quite a few hits.
Some search engines recognize ANDNOT
or AND NOT instead of
NOT.
Produces search results that exclude the keyword after the operator.
Example: aliens NOT illegal immigrants
Using the NOT operator will narrow
down your search because it will tell the search engine to
exclude the keywords after the NOT operator. The
NOT operator is useful when you
are trying to eliminate instances of similar words. A person doing research on
aliens from another planet may not care about illegal immigrants.
In the diagram below the area of the circles represents the number of hits your keywords will produce. Using
the NOT operator requires that the search engine exclude any hits that contain "Illegal
Immigrants". As a result, the shaded area is restricted to the section that covers only "Extraterrestrials". Notice that
the overlapping area of the circles is also left unshaded. The NOT operator will elliminate any hits that include "Illegal
Immigrants" even if those hits include "Extraterrestrials".
Some search engines recognize a short hand method of expressing Boolean
operators.
Instead of using the ANDoperator you can include
+ in front of the words that you want the search
engine to include in your results. Placing the + sign in front of a word flags
it as an important term and assures you that the word will come up in all of your results.
Both of these search statements produce the same results.
government AND extraterrestrials
+government +extraterrestrials
Instead of using the OR operator you can place
parenthesis around the words.
Both of these search statements produce the same results.
extraterrestrials OR aliens
(extraterrestrials aliens)
Instead of using the NOT operator you can place a
- in front of the word you want to exclude.
Both of these search statements produce the same results.
aliens NOT immigrants
aliens -immigrants
Search statements that consist of a number of keywords may not be
interpreted by the search engine as a phrase. In other words, if you
perform a search for Telecommunications Act of
1996, the search engine may not interpret your search statement as a
phrase. The words may be found in the resulting list's web pages but they may
not be related to each other. One word may be in one part of the page, and the
next word may be in another part of the page.
If you are looking for information on the Telecommunications Act of 1996 you want
the search engine to list pages that have these keywords together or as a phrase.
Use quotation marks around the words that you want to search
as a phrase.
Example:
"Telecommunications Act of 1996"
If you want to search for variations of similar words without
having to type multiple words you can use wildcards as place holders.
Some wildcards take the place of one letter while others take the place of
multiple letters.
Example: comput*
In this case the wildcard is represented by the *
symbol. The wildcard is taking the place of multiple letters thus it is finding
all words that begin with comput. The search
engine results will include compute,
computer, computing,
and computers.
Example: wom?n
In this case the wildcard is represented by the ?. The
wildcard is taking the place of one letter in the middle of the word. The search
engine results will include women and woman.
Different search engines use different symbols for wildcards so it is important
that you check the help files of a search engine to see what symbols you can use.
Closely related to wildcards is the concept of stemming. Some search engines will
search for variations of a word root. For example, if you use the word
swim in your query the search engine may also look for swimming
and swimmer without you having to tell it to do so.
Different types of organizations and individuals are responsible for web sites.
All web addresses contain three letter extensions (domain) that indicate what type of
organization or individual is responsible for the web site. Many
search engines let you limit your search by domain name.
.com--commercial organization
.edu--educational institution
.gov--government
.org--typically used for non-profit organizations
Looking at these address extenstions will not only help you limit your search but it
will also help you decide on the appropriateness of a given site. For instance, if you
are looking for statistical information you might want to limit your search to
.gov sites as the government collects a great deal
of data about a variety of issues.
Do not assume that just because an organization claims to be non-profit and has
a .org domain that you should trust it. Organizations
and individuals create web sites to support a cause. When using .org
web sites make sure the responsible organization tells you something about themselves.
Avoid mysterious .org web sites as you do not know
where they come from.
Lastly, it is important to realize that much of the information on the web is of
a commercial nature. Individuals or organizations are trying to sell you something. They
are not necessarily trying to inform you.
In day to day speach there a few words we use quite frequently such as
"the", "a", and
"to". Most search engines will ignore these
words when they are included in a search.
If these words are vital to your search you can include them as part of a phrase using
quotation marks. For instance, if you are looking for information about a book called
"The Stranger" you might want to enclose the words in quotaion marks. Otherwise, the search
engine may ignore the first word and the results that you get may not be relevant.
The hardest part of using a search engine is finding the proper keywords to use. With the
techniques discussed in the previous pages we can take keywords and incorporate them into
properly constructed search statements. Arranging your keywords into well thought out
search statements will allow you to make more efficient use of search engines. Not only are
you likely to get shorter results lists, but the results that you get should be more
relevant to your needs. Take a look at some of the examples below and try them out in a
few search engines.
Topic: Telecommunications
Possible search statements:
"Telecommunications Act of 1996"
+wireless +networking +standards
fiber optics and installation
Topic: Literature
Possible search statements:
Shakespeare and (Hamlet Lear)
Charles Dickens and "A Tale of Two Cities"
romant* and American Literature
Topic: Medicine
Possible search statements:
+juvenile -type II +diabetes
"toxic waste" and cancer
+vitamins +"health promotion"
The table below lists just a handful of the available search engines and their most important features.
Take a look at
Search Engine Watch to get a more complete list of the variety of search engines, find more searching tips, and
find more information about search engines.
| Search Engine |
General Features |
Boolean |
Other Search Options |
All the Web
www.alltheweb.com |
Simple, straight-forward screen with very little advertising.
Search for web pages, videos, MP3 files, and FTP files |
Recognizes the following: +, -, " ", ( )
Note: Engine does not recognize AND, OR, NOT operators |
Simple search: check off "Exact phrase" button to search for exact phrase (works like ""). Limit
search by langauge.
Advanced Search: limit search by domain. Use drop down for Boolean options such as "all of the
words," "any of the words," or "the exact phrase." |
| Search Engine |
General Features |
Boolean |
Other Search Options |
BUBL LINK
bubl.ac.uk/link/ |
Primarily useful as a directory.
Uses the Dewey Decimal System (like public libraries) to organize web sites. |
|
Advanced Search: text boxes and radio button options allow you to limit your search. |
| Search Engine |
General Features |
Boolean |
Other Search Options |
Google
www.google.com |
Simple, straight-forward screen with very little advertising.
Google Web Directory is
available at http://directory.google.com/. |
Google only returns pages that include all of your search terms so the Boolean operator AND is not needed
Recognizes the following: OR, -, " " |
Basic Search: by clicking on the "I'm Feeling Lucky Button" you go directly to the first web page Google returned for your search.
Advanced Search: limit search by domain and language.
Does not support stemming or
wildcards. The exact words that you enter into the search box will be searched.
The engine is not
case sensitive. |
| Search Engine |
General Features |
Boolean |
Other Search Options |
Hotbot
www.hotbot.com |
Doubles as a search engine and as a directory.
Many of the search features
can be accessed from the left hand side of the screen.
Search for images, videos, and MP3 files. |
Recognizes the following: AND, OR, NOT, " "
Wildcards: * (matches more than one character), ? (matches only one character)
Use the drop down menus to limit your search and act as Boolean operators. |
Basic Search: limit search by date and language
Advanvced Search:
limit your search by domain. Use drop down menus to further limit your search. |
| Search Engine |
General Features |
Boolean |
Other Search Options |
Northern Light
www.northernlight.com |
Includes a number of search options. "Special Editions" link produces a list of categories related
to important issues of the day. Other features include "Search News" and "Business Search." |
Recognizes the following: AND, OR, NOT, +, -, ( )
Wildcards: * (matches more than one character), % (matches only one character)
Note: term must have at least four letters before a wildcard can be used.
Note: most words are pluralized automatically so a search for cat will also look for cats. |
Power Search: limit your search by particular subject areas. |
| Search Engine |
General Features |
Boolean |
Other Search Options |
open directory project
www.dmoz.org |
Primarily useful as a directory even though a search feature is offered.
The directory
is compiled by volunteers. |
Recognizes the following: AND, OR, ANDNOT, " ", +, -
Note: search statement cannot
begin with the - command.
Wildcards:* (can only be used at the end of a term) |
Advanced Search: search for terms within specific subject categories. |
| Search Engine |
General Features |
Boolean |
Other Search Options |
Profusion
www.profusion.com |
Metasearch engine
Doubles as a search engine and as a directory.
Simple straight forward screen with very little advertising. |
Recognizes the following: AND, OR, NOT, " "
Note: Boolean operators must be entered in capital letters
| Advanced Search: select which search engines to search. |
| Search Engine |
General Features |
Boolean |
Other Search Options |
Webcrawler
www.webcrawler.com |
Doubles as a search engine and as a directory.
Simple straight forward screen with very little advertising. |
Recognizes the following: AND, OR, AND NOT, +, -
Note: Boolean commands must
be entered in capital letters |
"Zoom In" feature helps narrow down searches by suggesting alternate/additional search terms. |
| Search Engine |
General Features |
Boolean |
Other Search Options |
Yahoo
www.yahoo.com |
Doubles as a search engine and as a directory. |
Recongnizes the following: AND, OR, +, -, " "
Wildcards: * (can be attached
to the end of the word only; must have at least three letters before using a wildcard) |
Advanced Search: use the radio buttons to select Boolean operators. |
Berry, Michael W., and Murray Browne. Understanding Search
Engines: Mathematical Modeling and Text Retrieval.
Philadelphia: Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics,
1999.
A mathematical discussion of search engine design and
information retrieval methods. Call Number: TK5105.884.B47
1999
Bradley, Phil. Internet Power Searching: The Advanced Manual.
New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, 1999.
Shows how to use the Internet more effectively by
illustrating how search engines work. Call Number:
ZA4201.B69 1999
Hernon, Peter, John A. Shuler, and Robert E. Dugan. U.S.
Government on the Web: Getting the Information You Need.
Englewood, Colorado: Libraries Unlimited, 1999.
A guide to the online information published by various
government agencies. Call Number: REF ZA5075.H47 1999
Jones, Debra. Exploring the Internet: Using Critical Thinking Skills:
A Self-paced Workbook for Learning to Effectively Use the
Internet and Evaluate Online Information. New York: Neal-
Schuman Publishers, 1998.
Workbook that shows how to effectively use the Internet.
Focuses on the critical evaluation of information found on the
Internet. Call Number: ZA4201.J66 1998
MacDonald, Randall M., and Susan Priest MacDonald. Successful
Keyword Searching: Initiating Research On Popular Topics
Using Electronic Databases. Westport, Connecticut:
Greenwood Press, 2001.
Lists usefule keywords, important people, and web sites
associated with a variety of popular topics. Call Number:
ZA4460.M33 2001
Notess, Greg R. Government Information on the Internet. 3rd ed.
Lanham, Maryland: Bernan Press, 2000.
Another guide to the online information published by various
government agencies. Includes information about foreign
governments. Call Number: REF KF242.A1 N68 2000
Schwartz, Candy. Sorting Out the Web: Approaches to Subject
Access. Westport, Connecticut: Ablex Publishing, 20001.
Discusses current attempts to develop standardized subject
classifications for online resources including search engines,
directories, and databases. Call Number: ZA4232.S39 2000
Test what you have learned throughout this tutorial. Select an answer for each choice
click on "Answer" and you will get immediate feedback.
7. Click on the image that can be used to represent the following search statement: government AND
UFO's AND extraterrestrials.
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