Strategies for Researching Information Online

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Strategies for Researching Information Online
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Outline

• Need for superior online search techniques
• Developing the ability to
• Determine breath and depth of information needed
• Search for information in an organized and
  efficient manner
• Evaluate sources of information critically
• Reference and cite sources properly using
  standard formats
• Conclusions

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Sources of Information Anecdotal vs.
Scientific

• Online information can be a mix of fact and
  outright fiction.
• It might be dated, current or upcoming
• Identifying the
• Key journals and authors in the field is
  important
• Keywords related to the topic

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Searching for InformationSurfing Vs Diving

• Instead of using natural language phrases in
  Internet search engines
• Use online bibliographic databases by identifying
  keywords

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Search StrategyHaphazard Vs Structured

• Using a semi-natural language search engine
  (Google) normally results in numerous hits but
  not all lead to the required information
• Structure for searching
• Methodical even if pace is slower
• Using article keywords
• Synonyms for keywords
• Technical information posted in list servers and
  newsgroups
• Using the free Web search engines
• Accessing subscribed databases Science Direct

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Navigating the Online EKU Libraries Databases
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Citing Articles

• Citing sources in the text and listing sources
  properly is very important give the author(s)
  credit for their contributions
• In technology the APA (American Psychological
  Association) format is commonly used.
• http//nutsandbolts.washcoll.edu/apa.h
  tml
• http//linguistics.byu.edu/faculty/henrichsenl/a
  pa/APA01.html
• http//www.citationmachine.net/index
  .php?callstyle2all
• In the EKU online databases for automatically
  generating APA references
• After identifying articles click the Add button
  next to the article to add it to a virtual folder
  (which is above the list of articles)
• Click to open the folder
• Place a check mark in the articles for which APA
  references are needed
• Click Save (you may choose print also)
• In the Include when saving section, under
  Citation Format change to APA
• Click the Save button
• The references will be listed on the web page
  under the title reference list and can also be
  printed.

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Using Google if you must

• Order of words important - 1st word most
  important, 10 words max
• Search based on how many and which pages have
  intentionally added links pointing to another web
  page.
• Default connective is and. For other use
  parenthesis, as in dog (cat or mouse)
• Searching scholarly literature http//scholar.goog
  le.com
• Acts as a calculator 22 in search area

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Reviewing Articles

• Full-text document may not be the best source
  of information often information has to be
  requested from outside sources using
  inter-library loans
• Bibliographic references given at the end of most
  articles can and should then be used as sources
  of further information - especially those
  articles which you find useful.
• Search for the article(s) whose reference is
  provided in the 1st article and continue
  expanding your search net

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Top 10 Ways for Using Google Effectively

• 10. Local area search http//local.google.com,
  by zip, area code
• 9. Restrict to sites, as in nemo site gov
• 8. Definitions of words using define word, as
  in define googol
• 7. Exclude words from search using - and
  include using ,
• as in Disney pixar
• 6. Drop common words (to, the, etc.) in search
  text, unless
• wanted explicitly

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Top 10 Ways for Using Google Effectively

• 5. Localize by type of file, as in phrase
  filetypepdf
• 4. Phrase the question as an answer instead
  of How many
• awards did Finding Nemo win, use Nemo won
  awards
• 3. Use wildcards instead of words, as in
  eastern university
• 2. For phrases use search phrase, as in
  Finding Nemo
• 1. For complex searches use advanced search
  located beside the initial search area

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Conclusions

• Reduce the guesswork while searching for
  information online
• Find information in an organized and efficient
  manner - migrate from natural language to
  keyword driven searches
• Evaluate sources of information critically
• Cite the sources used while writing your article
  using standard reference styles