Conducting Online Research

3. Do I know how to be a good, efficient searcher? Considerations: 1. Am I using the best source? 2. What do I know about Internet research? I think you know how to place the words in the fields Some of you know what we are talking about-- we are teaching kids and we need to use the same terms. I think you know how to place the words in the fields Some of you know what we are talking about-- we are teaching kids and we need to use the same terms.

4. Internet Research involves: Search engines Gathering information Website� treasure or trash? Crediting sources (avoiding plagiarism � no copying) Organizing Synthesizing info (putting it together) Presenting what you have learned

5. Electronic Searching

7. Keyword searching Powerful if done correctly. Very fast. Used with search engines on the Internet. Keyword searching Often is the only searching option and requires skill to search.Keyword searching Often is the only searching option and requires skill to search.

9. Keywords You must provide a word or set of words that will enable a computer to find matches, or �hits.� Example: What are the effects, if any, of television violence on children? Keywords: effects television violence children You need to help the computer search better to get the results you want. You need to help the computer search better to get the results you want.

10. Boolean Operators Mathematician called George Boolean came up with connectors which allows databases to combine terms AND, OR, and NOT are basic connectors Mathematician called George Boolean came up with connectors which allows databases to combine terms AND, OR, and NOT are basic connectors

11. Boolean Operators: AND AND allows you to combine terms: television AND violence  AND is a limiting search This will access results pertaining to BOTH television and violence viewed on TV. Will only find articles that have television and violence in the same article � do not have to be together in the articles, just in the same article Only articles in the red above will be found (limits the articles/narrows the search) Will only find articles that have television and violence in the same article � do not have to be together in the articles, just in the same article Only articles in the red above will be found (limits the articles/narrows the search)

12. Assignment � Research a college or school (post-secondary education) Art AND college Art AND school This will find records pertaining to art colleges and art schools.

13. Boolean operators: OR OR allows you to search for similar terms  OR expands the search OR expands the search/broadens the search Finds articles with children, kids, or both children and kids in the articles OR expands the search/broadens the search Finds articles with children, kids, or both children and kids in the articles

15. Boolean Operators: NOT NOT allows you to exclude terms NOT is a limiting search. NOT in example above says, �search for all articles that contain television but not the word cable with television� �limits/narrows the search Alt+Tab to OPAC (change to SIRS) Power button Example: Type television AND violence Click on Search Double click on a reference Alt+Tab to PowerPointNOT in example above says, �search for all articles that contain television but not the word cable with television� �limits/narrows the search Alt+Tab to OPAC (change to SIRS) Power button Example: Type television AND violence Click on Search Double click on a reference Alt+Tab to PowerPoint

17. Phrase Searching VERY USEFUL searching TIP!!! Using quotation marks �two words� Tell the computer to look for two or more words together: �television violence� �acid rain� �Red River Valley� �Red River Valley of the North� Most important search tip of the day!!!! If nothing else is learned but phrase searching, the in-service was worthwhile. Most important search tip of the day!!!! If nothing else is learned but phrase searching, the in-service was worthwhile.

21. Why do we need to evaluate web sources? Virtually any person can publish almost anything on the Internet. Unlike most print sources, web sources do not have to be professionally accepted and edited to be published. Activity: The facilitator might ask students why it is important to evaluate web sources. The answers offered on this slide highlight the importance of web source evaluation. . Key Concepts: Books and journal articles generally go through a long process of fact-checking, editing, and revising before being published. However, anyone with a computer and Internet access can post a web site. Just because the information is published online, it does not mean it is true or reliable. The facilitator may note that web sites change frequently and sometimes disappear quickly. Thinking about evaluation within the search process can help to make web browsing efficient and effective. Click the mouse after the title question.Activity: The facilitator might ask students why it is important to evaluate web sources. The answers offered on this slide highlight the importance of web source evaluation. . Key Concepts: Books and journal articles generally go through a long process of fact-checking, editing, and revising before being published. However, anyone with a computer and Internet access can post a web site. Just because the information is published online, it does not mean it is true or reliable. The facilitator may note that web sites change frequently and sometimes disappear quickly. Thinking about evaluation within the search process can help to make web browsing efficient and effective. Click the mouse after the title question.