10: Searching the Web- Strategies and Considerations
- Page ID
- 90191
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 10.2: A Very Brief History of the Internet
- This page provides an overview of the internet, detailing its development from ARPANET in 1969 to the rise of the World Wide Web in 1993. It highlights the evolution of communication and information sharing, differentiating between the internet and the Web. Additionally, it discusses the emergence of browsers and search engines that enhance online accessibility.
- 10.3: Critical Thinking
- This page examines the paradox of internet ownership, highlighting that it is collectively shaped by users rather than owned by any one entity. It raises questions about global access to information, regulation, and the effects of digital governance on society. Readers are encouraged to think critically about the complexities surrounding internet ownership and its broader implications.
- 10.4: Search Engines and Tools
- This page explores the evolution of search engines and their integration into daily devices, enhancing convenience for users in finding information like nearby restaurants. It raises concerns about the effectiveness and potential risks of various search tools, preparing for a deeper discussion on the available options.
- 10.5: Comparing Search Tools
- This page covers different search tools, emphasizing AI assistants like Siri and Alexa for voice-activated tasks, and search engines like Google, Yahoo!, and Bing that deliver web results based on keywords. It notes the varying transparency in how these engines curate results and introduces directories like Yelp, which provide curated business information. The content concludes that selecting the appropriate tool is based on individual user needs.
- 10.6: Practice
- This page encourages readers to explore various search engines by testing selected keywords to observe differences in results. The exercise aims to improve understanding of search engine functionality and promote critical thinking about the relevance and reliability of search outcomes, inviting readers to reflect on their expectations versus actual experiences.
- 10.7: Academic Search Tools
- This page outlines specialized online tools for discovering scholarly content, including Google Scholar and Microsoft Academic Search, as well as subject-specific resources like PubMed and ERIC. It highlights the issue of paywalls that restrict access to costly academic articles, while also noting that these tools can help locate resources available through college library databases or open access, proving beneficial for students in their search for academic materials despite potential expenses.
- 10.8: Open Access
- This page discusses "open access" resources, highlighting their significance for academic research and recommending platforms like PubMed and ERIC for accessing free materials. It advises consulting librarians for paywalled resources and introduces Open Educational Resources (OER), which serve as free alternatives to traditional materials, promoting equitable education. OERs are diverse in format and allow users to share and modify content, setting them apart from standard open access resources.
- 10.9: Critical Thinking
- This page discusses open access and its role in promoting the sharing of information while emphasizing the continual relevance of copyright laws which limit actions such as downloading or editing resources. It uses YouTube videos to highlight the distinction between accessibility and content rights, encouraging readers to think critically about the use of freely accessible materials.
- 10.10: Controlling Your Search
- This page provides strategies for controlling online searches to find information on antiracism efforts by government and organizations. It introduces key search commands like site: and filetype: to improve search relevance and emphasizes the importance of domain credibility for reliable sources. The page also highlights available filters in search engines for refining results, facilitating more effective online research.
- 10.11: Searching and Privacy
- This page explores the implications of accepting cookies and privacy terms on websites, addressing concerns over online tracking and targeted advertising. It explains filter bubbles that restrict users' exposure to diverse content based on their interests. To enhance privacy, it recommends using alternative search engines like DuckDuckGo and incognito browsing. The page encourages readers to carefully review online agreements to safeguard their personal information.
- 10.12: Practice
- This page emphasizes advanced online search commands to enhance research efficacy. It encourages the use of relevant keywords and illustrates example searches. A significant strategy is to limit results to specific domains, notably .edu, and to search for particular document formats, such as PDFs. The exercise aims to help users practice and improve their search skills to obtain more relevant and credible sources for their research.
- 10.13: Citing- Websites, Web pages, Files, Articles
- This page emphasizes the significance of creating an accurate bibliography for online resources, discussing key citation considerations, the distinction between websites and web pages, and the value of consulting librarians or professors. It warns against solely relying on online citation generators and recommends using authoritative resources for verification. An example of an MLA citation format is included to demonstrate proper citation practices.
- 10.14: Conclusion
- This page covers effective online searching strategies, focusing on the use of search engines and tools. It stresses the importance of finding reliable resources and encourages integrating previous lessons on search strategies to improve online resource discovery.


