Searching for Information

Research Fundamentals

Establishing a Strong Research Question

  • After identifying a solid research question, you can commence your research efforts.

  • Understanding types of resources is crucial for effective research.

Types of Resources for Research

  • Using search engines, databases, and libraries to gather materials.

Places to Conduct Research

Internet as a First Source

  • The internet is typically the first destination for information.

  • Essential to differentiate between a search engine and an internet browser.

Internet Browsers

  • Definition: Tools used to connect to the internet from any device.

  • Purpose: Required to access search engines for information retrieval.

  • Examples of Popular Browsers:

    • Google Chrome (not the same as Google search engine)

    • Microsoft Edge (a version of Internet Explorer)

    • Mozilla Firefox

    • Safari (Mac only)

Search Engines

  • Definition: Tools employed within an internet browser to locate information on the internet.

  • Importance: Necessary to find needed information unless a specific website is known.

  • Popular Search Engines:

    • Google: Most popular globally with extensive web page catalog.

    • Yahoo: Offers advanced search options and suggestions.

    • Bing: Provides related search ideas and suggestions.

    • DuckDuckGo: Focuses on user privacy and presents less popular results first.

Default Search Engines by Browser

  • Some browsers have preferred default search engines:

    • Google Chrome: Prefers Google.

    • Microsoft Edge: Prefers Bing.

    • Safari: Prefers Google.

Academic Search Engines

  • Additional search engines offer specialized academic resources:

    • Google Scholar: Scholarly articles and theses across various disciplines.

    • RefSeq: Over 1 billion resources, including books, journals, and other materials.

    • ISeq Education: 100,000 sources from universities and other organizations.

    • Virtual LRC: Indexes over 10,000 curated webpages from reputable sources.

Meta Search Engines

  • Allow searching across multiple sources simultaneously:

    • search.com: Operated by CBS Interactive, identifies search engines used.

    • dogpile.com: Queries multiple engines like Google, Yahoo, and Yandex.

    • duckduckgo.com: Crowdsourced search, prioritizing relevant content.

Understanding Search Engine Functionality

Search Engine Workflow

  • Basic tasks performed by search engines:

    1. Crawl: Automated spiders categorize and browse websites for keywords.

    2. Index: Information collected is indexed in the search engine's database.

    3. Match: Searches match user queries with entries in the database.

    4. Locate: Pages containing searched terms are identified.

    5. Display: Results are sorted and ranked based on relevance (frequency of terms).

Accessing Library Resources Online

  • Public libraries provide access to materials online:

    • Requires a library card (can be obtained from local branches).

    • Benefits include:

    • Access to online databases.

    • Ability to place holds on materials.

    • Requests for interlibrary loans.

Collaboration with Librarians

  • Utilization of librarians as an invaluable resource:

    • Contact librarians via phone or email for assistance.

    • Libraries to explore:

    • Library of Congress: Features Ask a Librarian, digital collections, and catalogs.

    • WorldCat: International database of libraries and catalogs.

Free Online Libraries

  • Examples of online libraries for free eBook borrowing:

    • Open Library

    • Project Gutenberg

Penn Foster's Online Resources

  • Access to a comprehensive library through the student portal:

    • Over 3,500 regularly updated resources organized by subject.

    • Services provided include citation tips and research assistance.

Using Penn Foster Library

  • Steps to access resources:

    1. Visit the library homepage.

    2. Locate the program resources menu.

    3. Select the appropriate course or subject guide.

Types of Search Methods

Research Databases vs. Search Engines

  • Understanding databases:

    • Databases organize information on related subjects.

    • Unlike search engines, databases search information only within their content.

  • Examples of Common Databases:

    • Directory of Open Access Journals

    • Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC)

    • US National Library of Medicine (PubMed)

PowerSearch Tool

  • Located in the Penn Foster Library:

    • To access:

    1. Go to library homepage.

    2. Click on library link.

    3. Click on A-Z databases link.

    4. Click on P at the top of the page.

    5. Choose PowerSearch.

Collecting Information During Research

  • Importance of documenting sources:

    • Essential for bibliography and works cited page.

    • Assess relevance and appropriateness of sources for projects.

Examples of Search Types

  • Plain Language Search:

    • Example queries: "How do I get a passport?" "Where are passports issued?"

  • Keyword Search:

    • Example queries include terms like: "passport renewal," "how to apply for a passport."

Using Boolean Logic in Searches

  • Definition: A logical sequence employing operators (AND, OR, NOT) to refine search results.

  • Examples:

    • AND: Searches for all terms included (e.g., "animal AND disease").

    • OR: Searches for any of the terms (e.g., "animal disease OR illness").

    • NOT: Excludes particular terms (e.g., "animal disease NOT injury").

Understanding Truncation and Wildcards

  • Truncation: Uses symbols to replace end letters; simplifies searches for multiple endings (e.g., "child*" finds "child," "children,").

  • Wildcards: Replace single letters in words to account for differences in spelling (e.g., "wom!n" finds "woman" or "women").

Importance of Accuracy in Searches

Knowing When to Use Search Types

  • Importance of spelling accuracy in searches:

    • Search engines may correct misspellings; databases typically do not.

Evaluating Sources

  • Criteria for assessing the reliability of sources:

    1. Top-Level Domain: Analyze the URL for context (.com, .org, .gov, .edu).

    2. Publication Timeliness: Verify whether facts are current and relevant.

    3. Source Creation Purpose: Understand the author's intent behind the publication.

    4. Accuracy of Information: Determine if the work is factual or opinion-based. Did it go through peer review?

    5. Cross Verification: Ensure trustworthiness via multiple sources confirming the information.

    6. Author Credentials: Research author's education and expertise in the field.

Bibliographic Citation Significance

  • Importance of source citations:

    • Citation lists can provide leads to further quality resources.

    • Evaluate types of sources used; prioritize scholarly sources over anecdotal or biased works.