Effective Search Strategies Topic 3 501

It is important that TLs, as schools' information specialists, are extremely familiar with the use of search engines and key aspects of effective searching in order to exploit the web as an educational resource. TLs need to be the experts in searching and using the Internet. If you search with a clear purpose you will give yourself the best chance to find the most relevant results. Use variety of search engines.

When I read through Chapter 2 of Herring's (2004) The Internet and Information Skills I was absolutely blown away by the different search engines that are available on the Internet and the different search techniques that can be employed when searching for information using the Internet. I never knew there were so many search engines out there, and I have NEVER EVER heard of the 'invisible' or deep web. What I liked most about this chapter was the way it enabled me to gain a better understanding of the various features of the Internet in order to improve students' eduction, my own contribution to their education and on my own professional learning. I can really get a sense that this can be an area that I can really develop and expertise in so as to offer PD to staff and students on how to conduct more effective Internet information searches.

Bradley (as cited in Henri p. 26-27) separates search engines into four categories:

1. free-text search engines - Alta Vista, Google, All the web, HotBot, Lycos, Teoma, Wisenut, MSN Search, Gigablast, Euroseek, AOL Search
2. index or directory-based search engines - Yahoo, Google Directory, MSN Search, Netscape Search
3. multi or meta-search engines - Dogpile, ZapMeta, Katoo, Metacrawler, AllSearchEngines, iTools, Eureka, Web Search
4. natural-language search engines - Ask Jeeves

What also surprised me was my limited knowledge of search engine features. I am guilty as I only use Google for Internet searches, despite Herring (2004: p. 27) explicitly saying that no single search engine should be used for all types of search". So now from having read this chapter I will try and think more carefully about the actual purpose of my Internet search and try and use different search engines. This might take some time though.

Various search features include:

• boolean - boolean logic terms AND, OR, NOT allows users to combine elements of a search.
• default - which aspects of Boolean logic the search engine defaults or which aspect it uses unless the serachyer includes others. Most search engine default to AND, AltaVista Advanced Search defaults to 'phrase'.
• proximity - How near to each other words used in a search will be. Most users employ a phrase search, add inverted commas " ..." around the phrase.
• truncation - enables the user to search using part of a word, e.g. acid* to find information on acids, acidity, acidic
• case - mot search engines search when users enters the term in upper or lower case. Some can search for the exact case, e.g. exTENT
• fields - allows users to search on a specific part of a website, e.g. on links to title
• limits - users can add a restriction to the search, e.g. search only sites in French
• stop - stop words are common words which are not searchable, e.g. a, the, of
• sorting - search engines usually sort by relevance but the user can specify that results are sorted by date or alphabetically by title

It is important that students understand clearly how to maximise their searches by using Boolean logic effectively.

Katoo http://www.kartoo.com/ displays results as concept maps, which is ideal for students use concept maps to plan their searches. The TL has to teach students to evaluate the results of searches, as poor search strategies will lead to Kartoo production irrelevant concept maps.

Search Engine Quality
A search engines quality is evaluated in terms of how successfully it meets the needs of the searcher. It's important that students understand "the distinction between the most popular search engine (Google) and the most appropriate search engine" (Herring, 2004: p. 31).

Noodletools http://www.noodletools.com/debbie/literacies/information/5locate/adviceengine.html evaluation of search engines to suit the needs of particular users. See Choose the Best Search Engine for Your Information Needs. I quite liked the way the site categorises the list of search engines according to your search purpose. The layout is quite easy to use.

Effective Search Strategies
An effective search strategy is one that is based on the purpose and the need of the searcher. Robert Gordon University and Queen Margaret University College (as cited in Herring, 2004: p. 33) suggests the following questions before starting an online search ask:

• what is the question, what do you want information on?
• Can you think of any related concepts?
• For what purpose is the information required - an overview or in-depth?
• How will the information be used, who's the audience?
• How much information is required and when?
• In what form is the information required?
• How might you limit your search e.g. by year, language?
• If English language, are there any American synonyms?
• What resources are the most appropriate to access?
• Do the answers to these question indicate that online resources are best?

If the purpose of the search is not clear, the results are unlikely to be relevant. Identifying keywords that will produce relevant results.

Dogpile http://www.dogpile.com/ meta-search engine that combines the results of 6 search engines including Google to produce results that are meant to be more relevant.

Ask Jeeves http://www.ask.com/ useful for finding results relevant to school students.

Herring suggests (p. 38) checklist for effective searching for TLs in schools:

• Identify the purpose of the search - what exactly are you looking for?
• Who is the information for - teachers or students. If students, what age? How important is it that the language level is suitable to students at a particular age?
• What keywords or concepts can be identified to make the search more specific?
• Should the use of Boolean logic (AND, OR, NOT) or other tools (e.g. truncation) make the search more effective?
• Consider the use of the Advanced Search option in the chosen search engine?
• Once the search is done, an evaluation is needed to determine the quality of the results and, if necessary, redo search using more specific or general keywords.
• Use another search engine if the search was unsuccessful.

Keeping up to date with search engines

Search Engine Watch http://searchenginewatch.com/ helps keep one up to date with the availability and development of search engines.

Search Engine Showdown http://www.searchengineshowdown.com/ can be used in schools and contains practical and informative articles on aspects of search engine use.

The Deep/invisible web
The quality of information in the deep web is normally far higher than in sites on the surface web. Reason - much material in the deep web is from databases (medical, government, scientific, legal) with the databases organised and maintained by recognised subjects experts in a range of fields.

Complete Planet http://www.completeplanet.com/ organises deep web sites by categories.

Wow, there is so much useful information, most of which is new to me. I can only imagine that so much of what I will come across during this subject will also improve my knowledge of effective internet searching.