Finding Information: Step Three C

Finding Specific Kinds of Sources: Find Internet Sources

The Internet is full of it -- reliable and unreliable information on every topic. Below are some guidelines for choosing and using Internet resources. Remember that how good the web page looks is not an indication of the reliability of their information.

As with any other format, it is essential to evaluate the information.

• If in doubt, double check the information with a known resource.
• Ask an academic instructor or librarian for assistance with searching and evaluation.

Questions to help you to decide which Internet search engine to use:

• Choose The Most Appropriate Type of Search Engine for Your Query
  • Subject Directories (e.g. Yahoo, LookSmart, INFOMINE) (All )
    Sites are arranged in categories from broad to narrow. Think about the arrangement of the yellow pages. Specially trained people decide which categories to assign to each site. They can't make up new categories until there is really a need for it. When you search you are searching the categories.

  • Search Engines (e.g. AltaVista, Northern Light, Google, Lycos, Excite, Hotbot) (All )
    When you search, the search engine looks at each specific word on the page. No one decided what the page is about. Your search is based literally on which words are written on the page.

  • Multiple / Meta (e.g. Dogpile, Ask Jeeves, Metacrawler) (All )
    This type of search lets you look in more than one place at once. You type your search into the Multiple or Meta Search Engine. It automatically sends the search to specific subject directories and search engines. Your results are a list of the specific results from each search.

  • Hybrid Capable (e.g. Northern Light )
    Hybrids search more than one type of information at once. Using Northern Light as an example: You can choose to search the Internet or an index to journal articles or both. Northern Light has a list of folders down the side that organize your specific results in a hierarchy.

• Evaluation Features of Search Engines
  • Size
  • Currency
  • Individual Author Identity & Authority
  • Institution Authority
  • Relevancy
  • How is the database constructed or compiled?
  • What information in the database is indexed?
  • What information in the database is searched

• Searching Features of Search Engines
  • Is the search case-sensitive?
  • What is the default Boolean operator (and, or, not) for your search terms?
  • Can you (and how do you) search for phrases?
  • Can you (and how do you) use Boolean Logic?
  • Can you (and how do you) search for plurals?
  • Can you (and how do you) truncate, stem, or wildcard?
  • Can you (and how do you) specify search fields?
  • How are results determined?
  • How are results displayed?
  • If results are 'ranked' -- what are the criteria?

• Basic Searching Hints
  • Looking for general information and broad topics? Start with a subject directory type search engine.
  • Use long queries with as many unique terms as possible. Be specific.
  • Looking for specific information? Avoid general terms (movies, music, travel) and stop words (a, an, the, of, if).
  • Think about the evaluation and search features. Use them!
  • Use the "help" features in the search engines! Sometimes these are called "about," "FAQ" (Frequently Asked Questions), or "searching."

• Check Out These Sites For More Information
  • Search Engine Showdown: The Users' Guide to Web Searching
    (http://www.notess.com/search/)
    Written by a reference librarian at the Montana State University, this essential site showcases ultra-practical reviews, search features, statistics, & comparisons.
  • InfoPeople Search Tools Chart
    (http://www.infopeople.org/src/chart.html)
    Frequently updated summary of selected Internet search engines. Includes the type of database, size, Boolean capabilities, other search options, and miscellaneous information. The PDF summary easily prints on 2 pages. May be printed or copied for non-commercial use without further permission of author.
  • How to Choose a Search Engine or Research Database
    (http://www.albany.edu/library/internet/choose.html)
    Great resource from the University at Albany Libraries that suggests Internet resources organized by what you are searching for, search logic, search options, search features, database quality/size, type.
  • Search Engine Watch
    (http://www.searchenginewatch.com/)
    Formerly called "A Task Force's Guide To Search Engines," this site remains geared to the more technologically savvy user. Includes search engine registration and submission tips (using meta tags, improving placement, how to submit URLs), searching strategies, how major search engines work from a searcher's perspective, how people search, etc.

Accessibility Legend
	Resource available via the Internet to everyone free of charge.
	Resource available via the Internet to the Oklahoma State University community (faculty, staff, and students), Stillwater campus. These resources may be available to other users depending upon permissions from their home institution.
	Resource available via CD-ROM at public workstations in the Oklahoma State University Library. These resources may be available to other users depending upon resources at their home institution.
	Resource available in print at the Oklahoma State University Library. All call numbers refer to this library. These resources may be available to users at other locations.

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Last Update: 7 February 2001
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URL: http://www.library.okstate.edu/infolit/step3c.htm