Transcript PowerPoint

Wading Through the Web
Conducting Research on the
Internet
Wading Through the Web
This presentation will teach you about:
1. Different Types of Search Engines
2. How to Search on the Internet
Wading Through the Web
When might using the Internet be
better than using a traditional text?
•Topics that are contemporary (modern topics) – The
Internet has more up-to-date information on current events.
•Topics that are controversial – The Internet can give you a
lot of different opinions on one topic. It can help you
research a topic from different perspectives.
Session 1: Different Types
of Search Engines
Wading Through the Web
Different Types of Search Engines
 A Search Engine is a program that allows you to search
the Internet for information. There are many search
engines on the World Wide Web.
 You might have heard of search engines like Google,
Yahoo!, or MSN. These are the most popular search
engines.
Wading Through the Web
Different Types of Search Engines
 Regular Search Engines

A regular search engine, like Google or Yahoo!, searches the
Internet based on a given search term.
Why use a search engine? It is physically impossible to search
and examine all of the information on the internet. Search
engines help you sift through and find the information you need!

Search engines give results based on





How many times your keywords appear.
Are there keywords in the title?
What pages are linked to the site it is suggesting?
Popularity of site (how many times the link has been selected).
Wading Through the Web
Different Types of Search Engines

Why do Google and Yahoo! display different sites for
the same word?
 This is because of the way the engine searches!

Google and Yahoo! use different search methods. While
many of the sites they show you are the same, some are
different.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNHR6IQJGZs
Wading Through the Web
Different Types of Search Engines
Other Helpful Resources
•Online encyclopedias are a great resource for
research. Try the encyclopedias listed below and
see what you think.
•Encyclopedia Britannica – www.britannica.com
•Encarta – www.encarta.msn.com
How to Search on the
Internet
Keywords
Keywords are used to find information on your
question when searching library catalogs,
article databases, web search engines, and
book indexes.
Keywords should be SPECIFIC and FOCUSED.
For example, don’t search car – search Subaru.
Different authors may use different terms to
describe the same information. When
searching, consider using synonyms or
related words to describe your research
question. This will expand your search.
Wading Through the Web
2. How to Search on the Internet
“Smarter” searching on the Internet

Most Internet search engines also allow you to use a set
of words or symbols to narrow your search.
 AND – use this word when you want to find two words
together – this will make sure ALL of the words in your list
are included!
 OR – use this when you use synonyms or related words.
Your search will include EITHER word.
 - (minus sign) – use this symbol when you want to exclude
a word.
 “quotations” – use quotation marks when you are
searching for an exact phrase - words that must appear
together!
Keyword Activity
Question: What
are the largest
and smallest
breeds of dogs?
(2 for each).
Search Site:
Google
Research Question:
What effect did tomb robbers have
on archaeological excavations of
King Tut’s tomb?
Keywords:
tomb robbers, archaeological excavations,
King Tut’s tomb
Research Question:
What is the relationship between gender,
race, and class in a graphic novel?
Keywords:
gender, race, class, graphic novel
Research Question:
What changes were made to the
space shuttle program following
the Columbia disaster in 2003?
Keywords:
changes, space shuttle program,
Columbia disaster
Research Question:
How has the internet changed the way
teenagers communicate?
Keywords: Internet, Teenagers,
Communicate
Research Question:
How do relationships between
children in a blended family develop?
Keywords:
Relationships, Children, “Blended
Family”