1. Wading Through the Web Conducting Research on the Internet

2. Wading Through the Web This presentation will teach you about:
1. Different Types of Search Engines
2. How to Search on the Internet

3. 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.

4. Session 1: Different Types of Search Engines

5. 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.

6. Wading Through the Web Regular Search Engines
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).

7. 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.

8. Other Helpful Resources
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 –
Encarta –

9. How to Search on the Internet

10. 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.

11. 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.
Jack- Oh I get this, I’ll have this done in no time.
Jess- One more thing—remember that not everyone is going to word their research questions the same, and neither are all of the authors of books, articles, and websites going to use the same terminology. If you want to get more results try using synonyms or related words.
Tom- How would you find those?

12. “Smarter” searching on the Internet
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!

13. Keyword Activity
Question: What are the largest and smallest breeds of dogs? (2 for each).
Search Site: Google

16. 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

17. Research Question: What is the relationship between gender, race, and class in a graphic novel? Keywords: gender, race, class, graphic novel

18. changes, space shuttle program, Columbia disaster
Research Question: What changes were made to the space shuttle program following the Columbia disaster in 2003?
Keywords:
changes, space shuttle program, Columbia disaster

19. Research Question:
How has the internet changed the way teenagers communicate?
Keywords: Internet, Teenagers, Communicate

20. Research Question:
How do relationships between children in a blended family develop?
Keywords:
Relationships, Children, “Blended Family”