Search+Tools+and+Tips

>  toc =**THE HINTS: SEARCH BASICS**=
 * [I've read the Search Tools; please take me to the Links**]

**SEARCH TOOLS**
> ===**Search Directories**=== > Internet resources are compiled and sorted into broad categories (subjects) > by humans not computer programs. Subject heading categories are arranged > from very general to very specific. > ===**Search Engines**=== > Search engines use computer programs (robots, bots, spiders) to search the Web, > create databases and index the information. A search engine can search subject > headings, contents, URL's, authors, titles, etc. > ===**Metasearch Engines**=== > Metasearch engines do not index the Internet but search the indexes and > databases of other search engines.

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**SEARCH STRATEGIES**
> ===**Subject Search**=== > A search on general broad topics. > ===**Keyword Search**=== > Matches a word or words to subject headings, authors, titles, URL's, > contents, etc. > ===**Natural Language**=== > A question is entered directly into the search engine. The words in your > question are used as keywords for the search. (Example: What animals > are endangered in the U.S.?) > ===**Concept Search**=== > The search engine returns other keywords or combination of keywords that > you can use to further define your search. Click next to the term to add > it to the search. (Example: endangered species - the search engine might > return these words to further defineyour search - threatened; species; zoos; conservation; extinct; animal.)

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**BOOLEAN LOGIC**
>> **(**Boolean operators) are used to create relationships between keywords to narrow or >> broaden a search. Always capitalize the Boolean operators in a search. >> Two words connected with **AND** narrow a search. The search will return pages >> containing both words. (Example: endangered **AND** animals) >> Two words connected with **OR** broadens a search. The search will return pages >> containing either word. (Example: whales **OR** dolphins) >> Two words connected with **NOT** narrows the search. The search will return pages >> containing only the first word, not the second. If the second word is found, the >> page will not be returned. (Example: dolphins **NOT** whales) >> searching from the main page, others from their advanced search page.
 * ===The Operators===
 * **AND, OR and NOT**
 * **AND**
 * **OR**
 * **NOT**
 * ===**Using Boolean Operators**===
 * Boolean operators can be combined in many ways or alone for better searching.
 * Not all search engines or directories allow Boolean searching. Some will allow
 * The best way to learn more is to use help and FAQ's for each search engine.

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**SEARCH SYNTAX RULES**
> ===**Searching Rules**=== > Rules vary with search engines. Read the FAQ's and help sections for each > search tool. Rules include order of keywords, operators, and additional symbols. > ===**+ (Plus Sign)**=== > The + sign means must. It means the same as the Boolean operator AND. Most > search engines allow use of the + sign. Leave a space after the first word in your > search, then place the minus sign immediately before the word that must appear > in the search. > ===**- (Minus Sign)**=== > The - sign means the same as the Boolean operator NOT. Leave a space after the > first word in your search, then place the - sign immediately before the word that > must not appear in the search. > ===**Quotes**=== > Place quotes around a phrase to search for the complete phrase on a web page. > (Example: "information literacy") > ===**Truncation**=== > Use an asterisk (*) at the end of a word to search for multiple endings of a word > (usually a root word). The asterisk can represent OR in this kind of search. > (Example: child* The search will result in web pages including child, children, > childhood, etc. > ===**Case Sensitivity**=== > Capitalize proper nouns. A search engine will usually then search for just the > uppercase form of the word. If not capitalized the search will result in web pages > ith both upper and lower case versions of the word.

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**PLANNING YOUR SEARCH**
> Media Center first. > subject words, synonyms, etc. > want to use. Are you looking for general information (directory) or more specific > information (engine). > the Internet in the same way. If your search results are not satisfactory, > try another search tool. > source (domain - .edu; .gov; .com; .k12; .org; etc.) Eliminate irrelevant sites > before you proceed. > a keyword appears not the relevance to your topic and keywords. > more general, check spelling and add synonyms. The more synonyms you use, > often times the better the results.
 * Begin searching for information about your topic by using print materials in the
 * Plan your search strategy before beginning a search. Write down your keywords
 * __Before using search engines and directories, use the SIS LMC resources links__.
 * When you are ready to use search engines or directories, decide which ones you
 * Learn how to use different search engines and directories. No two search or index
 * Read search tool help and FAQ files.
 * Read the summaries of search results before you link to a web site. Check the
 * Search tools that rate the results of a search usually rate by the number of times
 * If you get too many hits, be more specific. If your search results in too few hits, be

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 * Also check out these excellent web sites for more information on searching and search tools:**
 * [|Search Engine Showdown: the User's Guide to Web Searching]
 * [|Search Tools] by Joyce Valenza, Librarian Springfield High School, Erdenheim, PA
 * [|Web Searching Tips] from searchengine.com

 THE LINKS
> Image Searching? Try [|Google] or [|Alta-Vista]'s image search engines
 * ===** Search Engines **=== || === Search Directories === || === Metasearch Engines === ||
 * [|Altavista] || [|Ask.com] || [|Clusty] ||
 * [|Ask for Kids] || [|Google Directory] || [|Dogpile] ||
 * [|Google] || [|Kids Klick] || [|Ixquick] ||
 * [|Live Search] || [|Librarian's Indexto the Internet] || [|KartOO] ||
 * [|Webcrawler] || [|Open Directory Project] || [|Mamma] ||
 * || [|Yahoo] || [|MetaCrawler] ** ||

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 With permission and grateful appreciation to the professional generosity of Linda Houle, Media Specialist, Westmont Junior High School.