WIT Homeroom Module: Searching The Internet

Now remember there are four basic types of searching tools. The four basic searching tools are directory search tool, search engine tool, directory with search engine tool, and multi-engine search tool. Each search tool is looked at in more detail below. After you read the summary for each complete the activity to try the search tool.
 
 

Directory search tool searches for information by subject matter. The search begins with a general subject heading and continues with a succession of increasingly more specific sub-headings. This search method is known as a subject search.

• Tips: Use a subject search when you want general information on a subject. You will be able to link to references provided that will lead to more specific information
• Advantage: It is easy to use. Also, the information in this database is reviewed and indexed by a skilled person to ensure its value.
• Disadvantage: Directory reviewing and indexing is time consuming therefore the number of reviews are limited. Thus, directory databases are relatively small and their updating frequency is low. Further, descriptive information about each site is limited and general.

Search engine tool searches for information using keywords and responds with a list of references or hits. The search method it uses is known as a keyword search.

• Tips: Choose a keyword search to obtain specific information, since its extensive database is likely to contain the information sought.
• Advantage: Its information content or database is substantially larger and more current than that of a directory search tool.
• Disadvantage: Not very exacting in the way it indexes and retrieves information in its database, which makes finding relevant documents more difficult.
• Keyword: searches require more explanation than subject searches, because of their broader scope and greater complexity.

The search is processed using keywords. Directory with search engine tool searches for information by using both the subject and keyword search methods interactively as described above. In the directory search part, the search follows the directory path through increasingly more specific subject matter. At each stop along the path, a search engine option is provided to enable the searcher to convert to a keyword search. The subject and keyword search is then said to be coordinated. The further down the path the keyword search is made, the narrower is the search field and the fewer and more relevant the hits.

• Tips: Use when you are uncertain whether a subject or keyword search will provide the best results.

• Advantage: Ability to narrow the search field to obtain better results.

• Disadvantage: This method may not succeed for difficult searches.

Multi-engine search tool (often called a meta-search) utilizes a number of search engines in parallel. The search is processed using keywords employing commonly used operators or plain language. It lists the hits either by search engine employed or by integrating their results into a single listing. The search method it employs is known as a meta search.

• Tips: Use to speed up the process and to avoid redundant hits

• Advantage: Tolerant of imprecise search questions and provides fewer hits of likely greater relevance.

• Disadvantage: Not as effective as a search engine for difficult searches.

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