Smarter Searching Brittany Butler, Library Media Specialist, BGHS Adapted from “Teaching the Ten Steps to Better Web Research” by Dulcinea Media

How do you begin your web search? Database Google Wikipedia 10

If a search doesn’t give you good results, what do you do next? Try another search engine. Ask for help. Use the first site listed. 10

How do you decide if an online article is a good source? It’s on Wikipedia...duh! It sounds good to me and/or looks right. It was written by an organization. None of the above. 10

How often do you check the author of an article? Never Sometimes Every time I click on a website! 10

How often do you check to see when the site was last updated/written? Never Sometimes Every time I click on a website! 10

Step 1: Beyond Google Search Engines may not be the best way to start. Try a database first, like Ebsco, through KYVL.org. Use teacher/librarian suggested websites.

Step 2: Try a Different Search Engine Try sweetsearch.com instead of Google Zuula.com (ads are easier to spot)

Step 3: Dig Deep for Best Results Don’t just click on the first link! Don’t stop on the first page of results!

Step 4: Think Before You Search Define your task. What are you looking for? Can you write out the assignment in your own words?

Step 5: Make Search Engines Work for You Use AND and OR and NOT Use quotes Advanced Search Options

Step 6: Don’t Believe Everything You Read Who Wrote This website/article? Why Did They Write This? Advertisement? Political Agenda? Why Wikipedia isn’t reliable. Stephen Colbert: Wikilobbying When Did They Write This?

Step 7: Find Primary Sources Find photos, diaries, newspaper articles. Find articles written at the time of the event (Eyewitness accounts).

Step 8: Who Published the Article? Do a search for the author/organization to check reliability. If you don’t know who wrote the article or website, DON’T USE IT AS A SOURCE!

Step 9: Why Was the Article Written? Is this article promoting someone’s agenda? Ex: “HFCS is fine because it’s corn!” (Brought to you by the National Corn Growers of America) Ask, “Is someone trying to sell me something?”

Step 10: When Was the Info Last Revised? Remember not to rely on just one search engine. Verify accuracy of info using another search engine.

Humorous Look at Wikipedia Colbert coins term “Wikilobbying”   http://tinyurl.com/d5rlsj