Searching the Internet

Introduction

Search Tools

Planning and Conducting a Search

Scavenger Hunt

Glossary

Teaching Guide


  

WIT Homeroom Module:
Searching The Internet


Lesson 1

Keywords
Boolean Operators AND, OR, AND NOT
Boolean Operators Plus/Minus

Keywords:

A basic plan for a search begins by identifying the keywords involved in the information that you are seeking. You would start by working with no more than one or two words. 

Example: Chicago Bulls





Boolean Operators: (AND, OR, AND NOT)

A searcher could use the boolean operators AND, OR, AND NOT to connect words and phrases in queries.

  • AND requires that both keywords are present in the documents retrieved
  • OR requires that at least on keyword is found in the documents retrieved
  • AND NOT requires that one keyword is present in the document being retrieved but the other word is not
The operators must be capitalized when used.

Example: (Chicago AND Bulls), (Chicago OR Bulls), (Chicago AND NOT Bulls)

Thinking: Identify the documents that might be retrieved based on each above example.
 
 

Plus/Minus Operators ( + , - )

Plus/Minus operators act similar to the boolean AND and AND NOT operators respectively.
 

  • The plus + operator before a keyword will retrieve documents containing only that keyword.
  • The minus - operator before a keyword will exclude documents containing that keyword from the search
There should be no spaces between the keywords and the plus or minus operators.

Example: (Chicago+Bulls), (Chicago-Bulls)

Thinking: Identify the documents that might be retrieved based on each above example.
 
 

Activity Using Simple Keywords and Boolean Operators

1. Open your browser
2. Enter "http://www.altavista.digital.com in the address box and press enter
3. You should now be on the Alta Vista home page
4. In the search box type

Chicago Bulls

5. Record the number of hits on your Boolean search Chart
6. Now in the search box type

Chicago AND Bulls

7. Record the number of hits on your chart
8. Now in the search box type

Chicago OR Bulls

9. Record the number of hits on your chart
10. Now in the search box type

Chicago AND NOT Bulls

11. Record the number of hits on your chart
12. Now in the search box type

Chicago+Bulls

13. Record the number of hits on your chart
14. Now in the search box type

Chicago-Bulls

15. How did using different operators effect the documents retrieved?
16. How can using operators help you search more effectively as opposed to just using keywords?


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The contents of the Web Institute Web Site, including the On-Line Curriculum, Web Tank, and Session Notes, are Copyright 1999-2000, Graham School of General Studies, University of Chicago. No one may print, copy, or otherwise reproduce these materials without the express written permission of the Director of Education Programs at the Graham School. All rights reserved.

The chapters from Curriculum Webs: A Practical Guide to Weaving the Web into Teaching and Learning are Copyright 1999-2000, Craig A. Cunningham and Marty Billingsley. No one may print, copy, or otherwise reproduce these materials without the express written permission of the authors. All rights reserved.