Search Strategies

What's a search strategy?

How do I use Boolean logic in my search?

What tutorials are available for students to learn search strategies?

Developing a Search Strategy

When using search tools, a good plan can save you time. Read Developing a Search Strategy to refine your search question and Buddy Project Searching for an overview of the search process.

Begin by creating a concept map or another type of visual planning guide. This plan could include your central topic or problem, a word list, and a set of required information. Your central topic or problem may have many components. What type of information are you seeking (i.e., ideas, facts, opinions, options)? What form will this information take (i.e., text, graphics, charts)? Your word list should include key words, narrowing words, broadening words, and related words.

Also, be sure you think about that information you already know versus new information that you need. How can you eliminate background information sites and get to the point of your project?

Select the Keywords. Use words related to the type of information you seek.

Select precise words and avoid common words such as the, of, and apply.
If you're looking for teaching materials, use "lesson plan", "teacher guide", or "project ideas" in your search.
If you're seeking a particular kind of teaching resource, use "webquest", "tutorial", or "tips" in your search. Search for earthquake+webquest.
Students might use words such as "student projects", "examples", or "photographs".

Search in Cycles. View your search from different angles and approaches.

If you're exploring information about the art of sculpture, you might do a series of searches the following combination of words: sculpture, sculptors, famous statues, carving, Alexander Calder, and even gargoyles.
Try a variety of (at least three different) search engines, directories, and guides in your search. You might start with a general guide such as About.com and end with a more precise tools such as Google.

Use Boolean Logic. Broaden or narrow your search with operators. Keep in mind that different search tools use different operators. Many search engines assume that you're using the word AND between each word even if you don't enter it. Explore the following chart for more ideas:

Operator	Description	Example
	use a keyword or idea, be specific	wildflower
	use a phrase, question, or string of ideas.	growing wildflower*
	use capitals only for proper nouns. Avoid plurals.	Indiana
AND, +, &	include both words	sand AND sculpture
OR, \|	include either word	ice OR sand AND sculpture
NOT, -	exclude this word	ice NOT sand AND sculpture
AND NOT, !	all, but this word	weed AND NOT marijuana
NEAR, ~	similiar to this word, good for misspellings	NEAR sculpture
*	wildcard, include plurals and close matches	sculpt*
" "	looks for things in quotations	"statue of liberty"
use lowercase letters	upper case can limit your search	"statue of liberty"
title:, t:	to find the word in the title of the page	title: sand sculpture
url:, u:	the word in URL	u: eduscapes

Learning Search Strategies

Each tool has it's own set of search strategies. Be sure to read the "search help" or "advanced help" section of the website to be sure you're getting the most out of the resource. For example, some websites use quotation marks to cluster related words. Some websites use "and/or" while others use "+/- " to indicate a boolean search. Most search tools also have an option to search for a particular type of file such as a web page, image, sound, or video.

Search Guides. Use the following help guides to assist you in using search engines and Boolean logic.

Specific Search Tool Helpers	General Tool Helpers
Google Tips, Google Advanced	BuddyProject - search strategies
Alta Vista Tips, Alta Vista Advanced	Search Terms and Syntax
HotBot Help	Search Advice
Yahoo Help	Search Strategies
Ask Jeeves Help

Sources for Students. The following tools and guides are for students.

Find Information from OPENC - easy to follow instructions
NoodleQuest - a fun tool that will help students identify a good starting point to fit their needs. Complete the survey and it will provide a list of good places to start.
World of Web Searching - this site provides an introduction to Internet searching for kids
CBC4Kids: Internet - Great tutorial for students using KidsClick as an example
Seven Steps to Better Searching - nice simple-to-use search strategy tutorial and quiz

Sources for Teachers. The following articles and resources are for teachers.

21st Century Literacies
Beyond Surfing: Searching the Net and Integrating the Internet in your Curriculum
Buddy Project - Great tutorial on Search Guidelines and Planning Projects
Choosing the Best Search Tool - this page helps you choose tools and strategies
Connected Teacher's: Hints for Searching the Internet - list of ideas for searching
Kathy Schrock's Search Engine Page - links to popular search engines and strategies
Power Searching and Power Learning - Jamie McKenzie's tips for searching
Yahooligan's Teaching Search Strategies - help for students using Yahooligans
The Cyberlibrarians' Rest Stop - lessons in searching
Internet Search Strategies - Greg Notess - NEW

Conduct a Search

Create a search plan. Apply search strategies and conduct a search. Discuss the results. Create a web page or handout providing students with a sample search.