Research Tips: Finding the Right Information on the Web
by Anant Patil, askSam WebMaster
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There are a number of tools to find information on the Web. Their usage and suitability varies from task to task. Being able to find the right information at the right time is a key to successfully completing a research project on time. As a graduate student (two years ago - when I was young <g>), I had to write papers for a number of courses. At times, I was overwhelmed with the amount of available information. Over a period of time, I learned several tricks to find quality information. In this article I'll share these with you.
Search Engines
Search Engines use a software called spider that crawls to the Web site once every week or so. They index the content for these sites and maintain this information in a searchable database. Therefore, what we are searching is the database maintained by the search engines which may or may not be upto date.
In general, I use Search Engines when I have a very precise idea about the subject. For example, if I wanted to search for information on "Genetically Modified Foods", then I would use a Search Engine.
Google http://www.google.com
Google is my favorite search engine. Search results are based on page popularity measured in links to it from other pages: high ranking if a lot of other pages link to it (The greater the number of incoming links, the higher page ranking it will receive). Therefore, search results on Google usually reflect higher quality information.
Alltheweb http://www.alltheweb.com
This search engine tops second among my favorite search engines. Its interface is nice and clean. Its advanced search features are well worth mastering. You can filter your results by using filters like Word Filters, Domain Filters, File Type Filters and much more.
In addition to the above two, I also use Altavista, Excite, and MSN. I rely on them when I don't get my expected results from Google or Alltheweb.
Subject Directories
Unlike Search Engines, Subject Directories are a catalog of sites categorized and maintained by human editors. Subject Directories are usually classified under broad categories, allowing you to explore general sites. They also let you perform keyword searches to narrow down to the final topic quickly. Web sites undergo a thorough review process by editors before they appear in Subject Directories. Therefore, searches are usually more accurate than the Search Engines.
In general, I use Subject Directories when I do not have a precise idea of the subject and when I don't mind browsing through different topics. For example, I would use Subject Directories to find research on "Fuel Cell Technology" by browsing through Science > Energy > Alternative Fuels > Fuel Cell Technology.
Open Directory Project http://dmoz.org/
ODP is the largest, most comprehensive human-edited directory of the Web. It is constructed and maintained by a vast, global community of volunteer editors.
Yahoo! http://dir.yahoo.com/
Yahoo is also among the biggest of directories.
Alllearn http://www.allianceforlifelonglearning.org/er/directories.cgi
This directory contains academic sites reviewed by university experts.
On-line Libraries
Most libraries now-a-days are going on-line. Check to see if your library on campus has a Web site. On-line libraries let you search through abstracts and summaries of the published work.
Libraryspot http://www.libraryspot.com/
Libraryspot contains links to various libraries and a vast amount of resources for researchers.
Journal Web sites
Most Journals run their own Web sites. They let you read summaries and abstracts. Once you find the topic of interest, you can walk in to your library and get a copy of the journal.
FindArticles http://www.findarticles.com
FindArticles is a search engine that provides full text access to thousands of articles from over 300 magazines and journals.
Elsevier Science
http://www.sciencedirect.com/
Elsevier Engineering
http://www.elsevierengineering.com/
In addition, there are paid search services like Dialog, LexisNexis etc. that let you search through a variety of journals and publications.
Groups, Forums, ListServes
Every day thousands of messages are exchanged between research communities on newsgroups, forums and ListServes. The best place to start would be to find such a group and then join. There are a number of groups and listserves that let you browse and search through the messages on-line.
Topica
http://www.topica.com/dir/?cid=0
Google Groups
http://www.google.com/grphp?hl=en&tab=wg&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=
After you join a ListServe, askSam is a great way to import valuable email messages into a searchable knowledgebase for future reference.
General Tips for Searching
1. Alternate keywords - Use synonyms, alternate spellings and keywords. For example, pose, poses, posture, postures.
2. Use phrase - Most search engines let you search for the exact phrase when you surround the search term with quotes. For example, "Apple Computers"
3. Use boolean operators - AND, OR, NOT are boolean operators. Use them whenever necessary. For example, Yoga OR Pilates
4. Rephrase - Many times we don't get what we want. Rephrasing the search term can produce desired results. For example, if Poses for Yoga did not yield desired results, you may want to rephrase that to Yoga Poses.
5. Use advanced features - Use search engine's advanced features and refer to help files if necessary.
6. Use more than one search engine - Every search engine has its own algorithm to rank pages. Therefore, pages you missed on one search engine can be found on the other.
To help you manage your research information - web pages, word processing documents, emails, notes, images - try our new Research Template. All this information can be stored in one database using this template.
You can download the new Research Template at:
http://www.asksam.com/four/surf31/template.asp
To read how to best use this template, see this month's askSam tip at:
http://www.asksam.com/four/surf31/asksamtip.asp
References
A Short and Easy Search Engine Tutorial
http://www.pandia.com/goalgetter/index.html
Search Tips
http://wp.netscape.com/escapes/search/tips_general.html
Power Searching for Anyone
http://www.searchenginewatch.com/facts/article.php/2156031
I hope you found a few of these tips and resources helpful. If you would like to contribute your own tips on searching the Web, please do so on our forums below.
Anant Patil
WebMaster
askSam Systems
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