Down the Rabbit Hole Searching, not Floundering, at the Libe

Think Before You Leap What should you know before you start looking for information? What should you know before you start looking for information? Where might you find this information? Where might you find this information?

Google Unleashed

Searching Basics Searching Basics –Choosing terms: Think like a web site author –Stop Words (it, the, in, with…) –Requiring and Excluding words ( + or - ) –Putting terms together  Phrases  Word order  And now… for your new favorite word…

AND OR NOT Boolean Operators

Google Unleashed Advanced Searching Advanced Searching Specialized Google Searches Specialized Google Searches Final search tips Final search tips –Work Backwards from your ideal result –Keep it simple

Evaluating what you find Looking for reliability… Looking for reliability… –Profit vs. Not-for-Profit –Find an author –Barring that, find a sponsoring institution –Barring that, follow up on (and cite) references you find –Still can’t decide? … Find sources to fact check your source.

Now you try it! Using at least one advanced search technique, find a web site that is appropriate to your research. Using at least one advanced search technique, find a web site that is appropriate to your research. Record your search terms and technique Record your search terms and technique Evaluate your site… Is it reliable? Evaluate your site… Is it reliable?

BREAK! And when we return, what to do when you need to find scholarly resources…

Journal vs. Article Articles Journals Database World Catalog World Keller, Gary D. “The first decades: Types of characters.” Bilingual Review (1992):

Navigating the Resources

Other Fun Databases

Now you try it Find one book and one article that are relevant to your topic Find one book and one article that are relevant to your topic Record your search terms and techniques Record your search terms and techniques

The Bibliographic Trail First Source Related Source

Parting Thoughts Revise your searches based on what you find. Revise your searches based on what you find. Use what you have to find what you need. Use what you have to find what you need. Come see me! Come see me!  Databases and my contact information on your course research guide and your handout. course research guide course research guide