Lesson 3: Effective Internet Research Search: Australia site: NationalGeographic.

com

The Internet has made our lives easier especially in terms of Lesson 3: Effective Internet Research
doing research. By browsing the internet, we can access
limitless topics. Web-based catalogs are available in many The Internet has made our lives easier especially in terms of
libraries to assist researchers in locating printed books, doing research. By browsing the internet, we can access
journals, government documents and other materials. limitless topics. Web-based catalogs are available in many
libraries to assist researchers in locating printed books,
Lesson 3.1: Searching the Web journals, government documents and other materials.

There are billions of information on the web and it is a Lesson 3.1: Searching the Web
challenge for us to truly find which information is reliable and
relevant. Here are some tips you may use to be able to look for There are billions of information on the web and it is a
relevant and reliable sources: challenge for us to truly find which information is reliable and
relevant. Here are some tips you may use to be able to look for
Search Engines are websites used for retrieval of data, files, or relevant and reliable sources:
documents from data bases. Some search engines we use today
are: Search Engines are websites used for retrieval of data, files, or
documents from data bases. Some search engines we use today
are:

Anatomy of a URL
A URL is one type of Uniform Resource Identifier (URI). It is a
generic term for all types of names and addresses that refer to Anatomy of a URL
objects on the World Wide Web. Knowing the URL endings will A URL is one type of Uniform Resource Identifier (URI). It is a
give you clues to who is sponsoring the website and help generic term for all types of names and addresses that refer to
evaluate the sources. objects on the World Wide Web. Knowing the URL endings will
give you clues to who is sponsoring the website and help
evaluate the sources.

1. Protocol 4. Top-level Domain 7. Named

anchor
2. Subdomain 5. Folders/ Paths 1. Protocol 4. Top-level Domain 7. Named
3. Domain 6. Page anchor
2. Subdomain 5. Folders/ Paths
Popular Domains 3. Domain 6. Page
Top- level Domains Country Code Top Level
Domains Popular Domains
.edu – educational .ph – Philippines Top- level Domains Country Code Top Level
institution Domains
.org – non-profit .eu – European Union .edu – educational .ph – Philippines
organization institution
.gov – government site .uk – United Kingdom .org – non-profit .eu – European Union
.com – commercial site .au - Australia organization
.net - network .gov – government site .uk – United Kingdom
.com – commercial site .au - Australia
Search Skills and Tools .net - network

1. Boolean Logic – narrows, broadens, or eliminates search Search Skills and Tools
term.
A. Boolean “or” – this operator will find pages that include 1. Boolean Logic – narrows, broadens, or eliminates search
either of the search terms. Example: A or B term.
B. Boolean “and” – this operator will retrieve only pages A. Boolean “or” – this operator will find pages that include
containing both terms. Example: A and B either of the search terms. Example: A or B
C. Boolean “not” – this operator will find pages that do not B. Boolean “and” – this operator will retrieve only pages
include search term immediately following it. Ex. A not B containing both terms. Example: A and B
2. Phase Searching – is used to search for famous quotes, C. Boolean “not” – this operator will find pages that do not
proper names, recommendations, etc. It encloses the phrase in include search term immediately following it. Ex. A not B
quotation marks. Ex. “Jane Doe” “To be or not to be” 2. Phase Searching – is used to search for famous quotes,
3. Plus (+) – indicates that the word after the sign is a required proper names, recommendations, etc. It encloses the phrase in
word must be found in search. Example: +fire quotation marks. Ex. “Jane Doe” “To be or not to be”
4. Minus (–) sign – indicates to exclude a word from your 3. Plus (+) – indicates that the word after the sign is a required
search that is not required on the result. Example: Jaguar word must be found in search. Example: +fire
speed –car 4. Minus (–) sign – indicates to exclude a word from your
5. Ampersand (@) is used to find social tags. Example: search that is not required on the result. Example: Jaguar
@SteveJobs speed –car
6. Hashtag (#) is used to find popular hashtags. Example: 5. Ampersand (@) is used to find social tags. Example:
#LawOfClassroom @SteveJobs
7. Finding Documents – using the filetype refines the search 6. Hashtag (#) is used to find popular hashtags. Example:
for documents on the web. #LawOfClassroom
o filetype:pdf 7. Finding Documents – using the filetype refines the search
o filetype:doc for documents on the web.
o filetype:xls o filetype:pdf
8. Searching Site – the sites find webpage from a website. o filetype:doc
Ex.: National Geographic information in Australia o filetype:xls
8. Searching Site – the sites find webpage from a website.
Ex.: National Geographic information in Australia
Search: Australia site: NationalGeographic.com
Lesson 3.3: Evaluating Sites
Lesson 3.3: Evaluating Sites
The web provides access to some excellent information and can
The web provides access to some excellent information and can also give access to those that are irrelevant and outdated. Here
also give access to those that are irrelevant and outdated. Here is some checklist that you can use to evaluate your website:
is some checklist that you can use to evaluate your website: 1. Authority. It reveals that the person, institution or agency
1. Authority. It reveals that the person, institution or agency responsible for a site has the qualifications and knowledge to
responsible for a site has the qualifications and knowledge to do so. Evaluating a web site for authority:
do so. Evaluating a web site for authority: a. Authorship: It should be clear who developed the site.
a. Authorship: It should be clear who developed the site. b. Contact information should be clearly provided: e-mail
b. Contact information should be clearly provided: e-mail address, snail mail address, phone number, and fax number.
address, snail mail address, phone number, and fax number. c. Credentials: the author should state qualifications,
c. Credentials: the author should state qualifications, credentials, or personal background that gives them authority
credentials, or personal background that gives them authority to present information.
to present information. d. Check to see if the site supported by an organization or a
d. Check to see if the site supported by an organization or a commercial body.
commercial body.