Strategies for Researching Information Online Abbreviated Version

1
Strategies for Researching Information Online
(Abbreviated Version)
Kevin Jones Library Research Eastern Kentucky
University
2
Outline

• Need for superior online search techniques
• Developing the ability to
• Determine breath and depth of information needed
• Search for information in an organized and
  efficient manner
• Evaluate sources of information critically
• Conclusions

3
Assignments Related to Research in Undergraduate
Technology at EKUPast-Present-Future

• Evolving CEN and CE curriculum
• Scope and offerings of department have changed
  dramatically over time, as have class research
  assignments at all levels
• Lower division introductory and new
  developments
• Upper division capstone
• Exclusively paper based to primarily online
  search

4
Paper Vs Online Search

• Retrieval method for information has changed over
  the years
• Equip technology students with structured
  strategies for retrieving pertinent and reliable
  information
• For distance courses - participation does not
  always imply preparation for finding information
  in online courses

5
Finding Ones Way to the Information

• Often the information sought is stated
  imprecisely
• Training oneself to generate multiple routes to
  the information, and to identify validity of
  sources

6
Baseball Online Searching

• Get oneself away from the idea that they have to
  hit the equivalent of a home-run every time they
  search
• Learn the fundamentals and then
  practice-practice-practice

7
Surfing Vs Diving While Searching for Information

• Techniques for helping students move beyond
  entering natural language phrases in Internet
  search engines
• Using online bibliographic databases effectively,
  using keywords

8
Student Vs Faculty Article Reviewing Techniques

• Full-text document may not be the best source
  of information often information has to be
  requested from outside sources
• Faculty know numerous journals and authors in the
  field restrict the search zone
• Showing students some of the methods for
  selecting key references in online and printed
  articles
• Bibliographic references can then be used as
  sources of further information

9
Anecdotal vs. Scientific Sources of Information

• Online information can be a mix of fact and
  outright fiction.
• It might be dated, current or upcoming
• Identifying the key journals and authors in the
  field

10
Haphazard Vs Structured Search Strategy

• Using a semi-natural language search engine
  (Google) normally results in numerous hits but
  not all lead to the required information
• Structure for searching
• Methodical even if pace is slower
• Using article keywords
• Synonyms for keywords
• Technical information posted in list servers and
  newsgroups
• Using the free Web search engines
• Accessing subscribed databases Science Direct

11
Library Instruction

• Key to unlocking the immense amount of
  information dispersed in the Internet
• Online tutorials Vs In-person library instruction
  additional challenge for students on satellite
  campuses
• Remove real and perceived barriers - get students
  out of their comfort searching zones
• Developing effective search strategies

12
Navigating the Online EKU Libraries Databases
13
Using Google if you must

• Order of words important - 1st word most
  important, 10 words max
• Search based on how many and which pages have
  intentionally added links pointing to another web
  page.
• Default connective is and. For other use
  parenthesis, as in dog (cat or mouse)
• Searching scholarly literature http//scholar.goog
  le.com
• Acts as a calculator 22 in search area

14
Top 10 Ways for Using Google Effectively

• 10. Local area search http//local.google.com,
  by zip, area code
• 9. Restrict to sites, as in nemo site gov
• 8. Definitions of words using define word, as
  in define googol
• 7. Exclude words from search using - and
  include using ,
• as in Disney pixar
• 6. Drop common words (to, the, etc.) in search
  text, unless
• wanted explicitly

15
Top 10 Ways for Using Google Effectively

• 5. Localize by type of file, as in phrase
  filetypepdf
• 4. Phrase the question as an answer instead
  of How many
• awards did Finding Nemo win, use Nemo won
  awards
• 3. Use wildcards instead of words, as in
  eastern university
• 2. For phrases use search phrase, as in
  Finding Nemo
• 1. For complex searches use advanced search
  located
• beside the initial search area.

16
Conclusions

• Reduce the guesswork while searching for
  information online
• Students can find information in an organized and
  efficient manner natural language to
  keyword driven searches
• Evaluate sources of information critically

17
Questions Comments