Search+Engine+Tips

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I took all of this information from the CCHS Learning Center Wiki. It was so well done that I did not change anything. Mrs. Cicchetti wrote it Searching the Web Tips = = toc =5 W's of Web Evaluation=

Who wrote it? What is the purpose (is there bias)? When was it written and is it current? Where did the information come from and are the sources valid? Why is this the best source for your research?

[|Web Evaluation 5 W's.pdf]

=**Read the URL**=

Being able to read the URL of a site will help you evaluate before you spend time working with it. The domain designation has information, as well as the grammar of the URL.


 * .com (commercial $)
 * .edu (education, most U.S. colleges)
 * .ac (academic institution not used in U.S.)
 * .org (any organization)
 * .net (internet – no specific designation)
 * .gov (government agency)
 * .net (network)
 * .mil (military institution - U.S.)

Indications you are on a personal page that should be scrutinized for bias, accuracy and authority. Does the URL have a tilde: ~ Does the URL have % Does the URL include a personal name Does the URL include words like: users, people or members

=**Choose a Search Engine **=

Choose the Best Search Engine for Your Information Needs - This resource was created by NoodleTools to help students in the research process. Understanding your topic, understanding the scope of your topic, refining or narrowing a topic, primary sources, experts in the field - there are different search engines that address different information and research needs. This is a very useful resource.

How Internet Search Engines Work - Internet search engines are special sites on the Web that are designed to help people find information stored on other sites. There are differences in the ways various search engines work, but they all perform three basic tasks: To learn more about meta-searches, building an index and how major search engines work, click the link.
 * They search the Internet -- or select pieces of the Internet -- based on important words.
 * They keep an index of the words they find, and where they find them.
 * They allow users to look for words or combinations of words found in that index.

Dogpile - Each search engine has its own method of searching and each will return different results. Dogpile (info about Dogpile )looks at all of them, decides which are most relevant to your search, eliminates duplicates and reveals them to you. In the end, you get a list of results more complete than anywhere else on the Web. Powered by [|Metasearch] technology, Dogpile returns all the best results from leading search engines including Google, Yahoo!, Bing and Ask, so you find what you’re looking for faster.

How to Choose a Search Tool - A simple to use table to guide you through options in: field & file types, search logic, search options, search results and specialty searches. This is an excellent resource to help you search at an advanced and scholarly level.

=**All Things Google **=

=Google Search Video=
 * ~ Icon ||~ Resource ||~ Comments ||
 * [[image:http://cchslearningcommons.concordcarlisle.wikispaces.net/file/view/IANA.png/72591595/IANA.png height="59" align="center"]] || [|IANA]Internet Assigned Numbers Authority || Using country domains you can customize a search and find websites in English from the original country of origin. See what Japanese scholars have to say about Hiroshima and Nagasaki. How are blood diamonds being reported in Sierra Leon? Get off US servers and get a global perspective. ||
 * [[image:http://cchslearningcommons.concordcarlisle.wikispaces.net/file/view/Google.png/72594851/Google.png height="39" align="center"]] || [|Google] || Google is a crucial tool in academic work, when it is used correctly. Utilize advanced search for more productive searches. Look at the "more options" feature and use the Wonder Wheel for a graphic representation of you research. Check out the video below. Very cool. ||
 * [[image:http://cchslearningcommons.concordcarlisle.wikispaces.net/file/view/GoogleScholar.png/103665087/GoogleScholar.png height="40" align="center"]] || Google Scholar || Provides a search of scholarly literature across many disciplines and sources, including theses, books, abstracts and articles. ||
 * [[image:http://cchslearningcommons.concordcarlisle.wikispaces.net/file/view/GoogleTranslate.png/107078693/GoogleTranslate.png]] || Google Translate || This is an amazing tool that will be incredibly helpful as we become more global, cross national and cultural boundaries ||
 * [[image:http://cchslearningcommons.concordcarlisle.wikispaces.net/file/view/Google_Dictionary.png/107792301/Google_Dictionary.png height="73" align="center"]] || Google Dictionary || Google dictionary works as a standard English language dictionary, but also has dictionaries of 28 other languages! ||
 * [[image:http://cchslearningcommons.concordcarlisle.wikispaces.net/file/view/Google_Finance.png/107334465/Google_Finance.png]] || Google Finance || Streaming real-time quotes eliminates the 15- and 20-minute delays often associated with pricing data. Streaming the quotes keeps information on the page up to date, without having to reload. ||
 * [[image:http://cchslearningcommons.concordcarlisle.wikispaces.net/file/view/GoogleNews.png/119612129/GoogleNews.png]] || Google News || Aggregates news feeds from multiple sources, including Associated Press. ||

=**Validating Sources **=

There is a lot of information out there, and it is your responsibility to evaluate the source. These are advanced tools that can help you with this task. Looking at the links: Go to AltaVista and start with link:, then type in the URL your are investigating. Leave no space before or after the colon.
 * Back link:** See who is linking to a site to find out what groups value or follow this information. This can give you perspective on the quality of the information.


 * Forward link:** Hover your cursor over a piece of linked text of graphic. The arrow turns into a hand and a URL will appear in the status bar on the lower left of your browser. This will help you see patterns of reference. Is the site linking to one source, like Wikipedia? This can also give you perspective on the quality of information.


 * Meta Tags:** In Firefox click View > Page Source > In the head of the html version look down for **> meta** tags to see how the author of the site is describing the site in a way search engines will locate the site.

The Internet Archive - The Internet Archive, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is building a digital library of Internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form. Like a paper library, we provide free access to researchers, historians, scholars, and the general public. Use "The Wayback Machine" to find sites that have dropped off the web. WhoIs - This is very useful for getting information on domain registrations. Look up the registration information of a domain name. Who created it?

EasyWhoIs - Look up the registration information of a domain name. Who created it?

Overture - Learn the business detail about a source. Financial affiliations, demographics, users and rankings. You can learn a lot about a source by knowing who they do business with and who they count as customers.

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=**Alternate Search Engines **=

The Top 160 Alternate Search Engines Take a look at some of the engines that will help you to search the web with specialized searches.