HSU Library
Communication 280: Introduction to Information Research
Skills
Using the Internet: Internet Search Tools
Background Material:
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Characterization of the Internet
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What
is the Internet? (OWL 5)
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"Visible Web" vs. the "Invisible Web" - information contained on the web
is located using various Internet search tools that are listed below. The
best search engines retrieve only 25% of the information on the Internet.
There are millions of "invisible web" pages that are excluded by Internet
search engines either because of the file format of the page or because
the information content is delivered as a unique page based upon a searcher's
interaction with a database at a web site.
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"Public Web" vs. "Private Web" - some information content is available
only on a fee basis, e.g., many of the HSU Library's databases are restricted
to just current HSU students and faculty; or is behind firewalls at corporate
and other sites.
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Size & Growth of the Internet
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Internet Search Tools - there are four basic "families" or types of search
tools. For additional information see
How
Do I Find Useful Information on the Internet? (OWL 5) and Internet
Search Tools (HSU Library)
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Search Engines - these search tools index the "visible" by using computer
programs ("robots" and "spiders") to create a master database of web pages
against which users can search and receive a ranked list of matching web
pages. They are large in size but do not evaluate the quality of pages
gathered in the database. Use search engines when you:
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have a narrow topic
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want to gather a large number of results
The following sites are guides to general and specialized search engines:
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Subject Directories/Gateways/Portals - these search tools are databases
compiled by humans and categoried by subject. They frequently are an attempt
to create a database of key Internet resources in a specific area of human
knowledge. They are small in size but the information retrieved from them
has been evaluated. Many of the subject Research
Guides developed by HSU librarians list recommended subject directories.
Use subject directories when you:
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have a broad topic
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want selected, evaluated and annotated web pages
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"Invisible Web" Directories - these subject directories list specialized
databases by subject or file format. Use invisible web directories when
you:
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are looking for information that is likely in a database
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are looking for information that dynamically changes in content
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are looking for information in unusual file formats
The following sites discuss in more detail the "invisible web" and list
recommended directories:
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MetaSearch Engines - utilities that search more than one search engine
and/or subject directory at a time and compile search results in varying
ways. While they are "quick and dirty" ways to search, multiple search
tools also simplify the power of the individual search tools.
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Constructing Internet Searches
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Search Strategies
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Recommended
Search Strategy (UC Berkeley Library)
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Basic Search Tips
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Figure out how a particular search engine works and use it to its fullest
power.
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In searching keywords use phrase searching whenever possible--this is often
done with use of quotation marks around the phrase.
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Make use of features that allow one to find similar web pages--look for
options such as "More Like This" or "Related Sites".
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Search Engine Features
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For Fun
Assignments: Print off and complete
Send comments and suggestions about this page to: Robert
Sathrum
Last Updated: November 2, 2001