Online Search Techniques
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Everyone knows how to Google right?
When performing online searches, however, it pays to be savvy and understand how search engines operate.
When performing online searches, however, it pays to be savvy and understand how search engines operate.
Using Keywords
Keywords - Create a list of ways that people might talk about the topic you wish to search. Experiment with different combinations of keywords. Brainstorm the main ideas or concept of a topic to determine the keywords. Try to think of the different words that people might use to talk about (or write about) your topic. Don't give up if the first few combinations of words don't work.
Boolean Operators
Boolean Operators are a set of algorithms designed to connect and define the relationship between your search terms. These Operators are used by today's search engines. They are also used by library OPACs to search for library resources and by electronic journal databases such as EBSCO Host, Gale, Informit, JSTOR, ProQuest etc.
Boolean operators are used to either narrow or broaden your record sets.
Keywords - Create a list of ways that people might talk about the topic you wish to search. Experiment with different combinations of keywords. Brainstorm the main ideas or concept of a topic to determine the keywords. Try to think of the different words that people might use to talk about (or write about) your topic. Don't give up if the first few combinations of words don't work.
Boolean Operators
Boolean Operators are a set of algorithms designed to connect and define the relationship between your search terms. These Operators are used by today's search engines. They are also used by library OPACs to search for library resources and by electronic journal databases such as EBSCO Host, Gale, Informit, JSTOR, ProQuest etc.
Boolean operators are used to either narrow or broaden your record sets.
AND Operator
The AND operator works by finding only webpages that have all the entered words on the same web page but not necessarily together.
Using our example of endangered birds, the search will return only those pages where both of the words endangered AND birds appear as shown in the Venn diagram above.
Google and other search engines work on the assumption you are using the AND operator when your use two or more terms in your search next to each other. This means you no longer have to type AND, in capitals, in your searches.
This means that the MORE search terms you use, the more refined your search will be.
Note: When using the AND operator, you only receive pages including all of your search terms, though not necessarily when those terms occur next to one another.
The AND operator works by finding only webpages that have all the entered words on the same web page but not necessarily together.
Using our example of endangered birds, the search will return only those pages where both of the words endangered AND birds appear as shown in the Venn diagram above.
Google and other search engines work on the assumption you are using the AND operator when your use two or more terms in your search next to each other. This means you no longer have to type AND, in capitals, in your searches.
This means that the MORE search terms you use, the more refined your search will be.
Note: When using the AND operator, you only receive pages including all of your search terms, though not necessarily when those terms occur next to one another.
OR Operator
Using the OR operator EXPANDS your search. When using OR, you only receive pages containing either one or both of your search terms.
Eg. endangered OR birds.
Using the OR operator EXPANDS your search. When using OR, you only receive pages containing either one or both of your search terms.
Eg. endangered OR birds.
NOT Operator Using the NOT operator narrows or refines your search. When using the NOT operator you receive pages including only the first term and not the other.
Eg. endangered NOT birds.
NB. In Google and other search engines you can use the minus (-) symbol instead of NOT, in capitals, such as endangered -birds
Eg. endangered NOT birds.
NB. In Google and other search engines you can use the minus (-) symbol instead of NOT, in capitals, such as endangered -birds
Watch: Boolean Search Operators
Quotation marks - Power up your search
If you're looking for a specific multiple word concept or phrase, put it in "quotation marks". This makes your search much more powerful. For example, if you're looking for information on the Vietnam War and put your search in quotation marks ("Vietnam War") you will greatly refine your search. The search results will only provide webpages that contain those words NEXT TO EACH OTHER AND IN THAT ORDER.
In contrast, if you typed those words without quotation marks, the search results will include ANY page that has the word Vietnam and the word War anywhere on the page (Such as in a simple AND operator search).
Wedge words
These are words that also help to refine your search to find information you want. For example, words like statistics, review, FAQ, and graphs will limit your results to pages that contain those words. Being more specific and helps to narrow down your search.
Google Scholar
Use Google Scholar to find reliable and credible articles written by academics.
Advanced searching
Google has an option for advanced searching, which will allow you to combine terms and search for more specific things. Here you can limit your search to a certain language, date range, domain name, and more.
How online search is changing (NSW DoE 2019)
If you're looking for a specific multiple word concept or phrase, put it in "quotation marks". This makes your search much more powerful. For example, if you're looking for information on the Vietnam War and put your search in quotation marks ("Vietnam War") you will greatly refine your search. The search results will only provide webpages that contain those words NEXT TO EACH OTHER AND IN THAT ORDER.
In contrast, if you typed those words without quotation marks, the search results will include ANY page that has the word Vietnam and the word War anywhere on the page (Such as in a simple AND operator search).
Wedge words
These are words that also help to refine your search to find information you want. For example, words like statistics, review, FAQ, and graphs will limit your results to pages that contain those words. Being more specific and helps to narrow down your search.
Google Scholar
Use Google Scholar to find reliable and credible articles written by academics.
Advanced searching
Google has an option for advanced searching, which will allow you to combine terms and search for more specific things. Here you can limit your search to a certain language, date range, domain name, and more.
How online search is changing (NSW DoE 2019)
You can also use Google Advanced search to find FREE content and images that you can safely use without breaching copyright
How to Locate Free Creative Commons Images via Google Advanced Image Search
How to Locate Free Creative Commons Digital Content via Google Advanced Search
Boolean Search Techniques Worksheet
| boolean_search_techniques_work_sheet.docx |
How to use Google Search more effectively
Click on the Link below
http://stephenslighthouse.com/2011/11/27/how-to-use-google-search-more-effectively-infographic/
Click on the Link below
http://stephenslighthouse.com/2011/11/27/how-to-use-google-search-more-effectively-infographic/
The Deep Web
The Deep Web or Invisible Web contains vastly more information than can be found using search engines.
The Deep Web are websites or networks that require a user sign-in. An example of such is your school network.
Another example is NSW State Library's online databases that require membership sign in to access a great range of e-resouces including e-books, online newspapers and academic journal databases.
The good news is that Membership is free. You simply sign up using the online form.
See Ms Costello if you need help signing up.
The Deep Web or Invisible Web contains vastly more information than can be found using search engines.
The Deep Web are websites or networks that require a user sign-in. An example of such is your school network.
Another example is NSW State Library's online databases that require membership sign in to access a great range of e-resouces including e-books, online newspapers and academic journal databases.
The good news is that Membership is free. You simply sign up using the online form.
See Ms Costello if you need help signing up.
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References and further reading
Abram, S. (2014). New How to Use Google Search More Effectively. Stephenslighthouse.com. Retrieved from http://stephenslighthouse.com/2011/11/27/how-to-use-google-search-more-effectively-infographic/
Columbia University. (2014). Boolean Operators. Columbia University Libaray Retrieved from http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/help/clio/boolean_operators.html
Curtiss, R. (2018). Boolean Operators. TED-Ed. Available at: https://ed.ted.com/on/FxInZykB
Google,. (2016). Search Education. Google.com. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/intl/es419/insidesearch/searcheducation/index.html
Kollewin.com. (2014). Boolean Searching. Retrieved from http://www.kollewin.com/blog/boolean-searching/
Locknar, A., & Cohn, P. (2014). Boolean operators - Database Search Tips. MIT Libaries. Retrieved from http://libguides.mit.edu/content.php?pid=36863&sid=271372
Maksimava, M. (2017). Google's 9 Major Algorithm Updates. Link-assistant.com. Retrieved from https://www.link-assistant.com/news/google-algorithm-updates.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=sps-social&utm_content=algoupdates
Schrock, R. (2014). Rockwell Schrock's Boolean Machine. Rockwellschrock.com. Retrieved from http://rockwellschrock.com/rbs3k/boolean/
University of Albany Library. (2014). Boolean Operators. Retrieved from http://library.albany.edu/subject/tutorials/education/boolean.html
University of Maryland. (2014). Using Boolean Logic or Connectors. Retrieved from http://www.lib.umd.edu/tl/guides/boolean-logic
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Cathy Costello teacher librarian virtual library
