The Internet contains a huge range of resources - some are verified facts and research from reputable organisations, others are subjective opinion; some are trying to sell you something, others have an educational purpose. A simple search using any old search engine will probably produce thousands of 'hits', most of which won't be what you are looking for! And what about the 'invisible web"' - the resources not found with your average search engine? 

In order to search the Internet effectively without getting thousands of useless hits from which you have to find the one or two sites which contain the information you want, you must have a clear search strategy in place.

Underlying any good search strategy are three key concepts:

• What exactly are you looking for? ie. What search terms will you use to find information to answer your question?

• Where is the best place to find your information? ie. Which Search Engine will you use?

• Is the information you’ve found from a reliable source? ie. Evaluate the information you’ve found.

Using the “Search Strategies Worksheet” research Effective Search Strategies. The Worksheet will help you focus on specific aspects of Internet searching and give you information on Search Engines and Strategies that will help you find the information you are looking for.

At the end of each section of the worksheet you will discuss and summarise your findings with the rest of the class.

Using the links below

The links below have been arranged into 3 sections to help you focus on the 3 distinct areas of Internet Searching. You do not have to link to all of the sites: remember you are reading to get an overview of Search Strategies and to make notes to help YOURSELF. Read as much or as little as you feel you need to to make yourself a more effective Internet user.

NB All students will be expected to report back to the class on their research.

 

1. Preparing your search

Search Strategies – good overall summary http://members.ozemail.com.au/~pledgerp/searchstrategies.htm   Seven steps towards better searching from “The Webquest Page” http://webquest.sdsu.edu/searching/stepzero.html   **Web Search Strategy – notes from the AHS Intranet http://www.adelaidehs.sa.edu.au/ahsintranet/infoprocess/strategy.htm   **Topic Worksheet from the Library, University of California, Berkeley Great downloadable pdf file. http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/form.pdf   Boolean Searching for the web http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Boolean.pdf

2. Search engines

A. Adelaide High School Intranet notes Internet Searching for Beginners http://www.adelaidehs.sa.edu.au/ahsintranet/infoprocess/beginnersearching.htm   **Search Tools  - notes for directories, search engines, meta search engines etc http://www.adelaidehs.sa.edu.au/ahsintranet/infoprocess/searchtools.htm   Search Engine Links – links to a variety of Search Engines http://www.adelaidehs.sa.edu.au/ahsintranet/infoprocess/searchengines.htm   Web Search Strategy – http://www.adelaidehs.sa.edu.au/ahsintranet/infoprocess/strategy.htm

B. Searching the Internet – Search Engines and Subject Indexes – information from ??? Index to links - http://www.sldirectory.com/search.html   Individual Search Engine Sites - http://www.sldirectory.com/searchf/engines.html#engines   Subject Indexes - http://www.sldirectory.com/searchf/subject.html#top   Meta-search Engines - http://www.sldirectory.com/searchf/metasearch.html#meta

C. Finding information on the Internet - a tutorial from the Univ. of California, Berkeley. An excellent, comprehensive guide to search techniques and tools on the net.   Meta-search engines http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/MetaSearch.html   Recommended Search Strategy: Analyse your topic & Search with peripheral vision http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Strategies.html   The Best Search Engines http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/SearchEngines.html   Subject Directories http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/SubjDirectories.html

D. NoodleTools Smart Tools. Smart Research. NoodleTools is a suite of interactive tools designed to aid students and professionals with their online research. From selecting a search engine and finding some relevant sources, to citing those sources in MLA or APA style, NoodleTools makes online research easier!   **NoodleQuest: Develop the optimum Web-based search strategy, based on your research topic. One of the hardest parts about doing academic research on the Internet is figuring out where to start! A search engine is usually the first thing to try, but what search engines are the most useful for your topic? Fill in the short form below, and we'll point you in the right direction. http://www.noodletools.com/noodlequest/   **Choose a Search Engine: Choose the best search engine for your information need. http://www.noodletools.com/debbie/literacies/information/5locate/adviceengine.html   **Choosing Invisible Web Databases – subject listings such as science, history, magazines, government http://www.noodletools.com/debbie/literacies/information/5locate/advicedepth.html

E. “The Webquest Page” Specialised search engines and directories http://webquest.sdsu.edu/searching/specialized.html   **Four Nets for Better searching http://webquest.sdsu.edu/searching/fournets.htm

3. Website evaluation

Webpage evaluation checklist from the Univ. of California, Berkeley http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/EvalForm.pdf   Evaluation of Internet Resources from Adelaide High School http://www.adelaidehs.sa.edu.au/ahsintranet/infoprocess/netevaln.htm   **Website evaluation Criteria from New Mexico State University http://lib.nmsu.edu/instruction/evalcrit.html   **The Quality Information Checklist - Here are eight ways of checking information on web sites. http://www.quick.org.uk/menu.htm   Process Guide #3: Evaluating Webpages http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/staffdev/tpss99/processguides/evaluating_student.html