The document provides information on different types of internet search tools including search engines, meta-search engines, and subject directories. It discusses how search engines use computer programs to match keywords to web pages while subject directories are developed and maintained by humans to organize websites into categories. The document also outlines various internet search methods such as keyword searches, field searches, Boolean logic, and miscellaneous methods including different language and spell check features.

1. Internet Search Tools graphic organizer Student Activity
Name: Period: Date:
I. Internet Search Tools – Two Categories
A. Search engines – Two types:
1. Individual search engine
a. Uses computer programs called “spiders”, “crawlers”, or
“robots” to match key search words with the web pages that
contain them
b. Returns a large amount of results, including duplicates
2. Meta-search engine
a. Sends requests for information to several search engines
simultaneously and compiles the results
b. As the results are compiled, duplications are eliminated, thus
yielding fewer results than a search engine
B. Subject directories – searchable databases that are developed and
maintained by human selection of sites to search broad subject categories
and their descriptions
1. Used in research and often linked to library systems
2. Also referred to as research databases
3. Mostly made up of thousands of specialized searchable databases,
such as library catalogs and article databases
4. Searches for non-HTML formats (PDF, Word, Excel, script-based,
PowerPoint, etc.)
5. Results in more reliable pages than search engines
II. Internet Search Methods – Four Categories
A. Keyword – Keying a main idea, phrase, or concept (search string) in the
search box, with or without quotation marks
1. Use quotation marks to identify a phrase
2. “To be or not to be” will return results only of the entire phrase
B. Field – search conducted for a specific title, domain, URL, or host
Allows user to adjust breadth and depth of a search
C. Boolean logic
1. Uses operators with keywords to narrow search parameters
2. Operators include AND, OR, and quotation marks
a. AND narrows results by searching for pages that contain
both keywords
b. OR expands results by searching for pages that contain
either of the keywords
D. Miscellaneous search methods
1. Different language support – searches for words in different
languages
2. Spell checker – gives suggestions if the word keyed for the search
is spelled incorrectly

2. Internet Search Tools graphic organizer Student Activity
Name: Period: Date:
3. Phonebook – uses phone numbers to search for locations and
addresses
4. Math/equivalents – solves basic math problems and converts
equivalents
E. Supplemental (not tested) search tools and methods
1. TWITTER
2. RSS Feed
3. Wiki
4. Flikr
5. Delicious
6. Tags
7. Bookmarks
8. Tag clouds

3. Internet Search Tools graphic organizer Student Activity
Name: Period: Date:

4. Internet Search Methods graphic organizer
Internet Search
Tools
Individual search engine – uses computer programs called
“spiders”, “crawlers”, or “robots” to match key search words with
the web pages that contain them.
Returns a large amount of results, including duplicates
Examples: Google.com – the largest database of Web pages,
Ask.com, Search.yahoo.com
Search Engines
Meta-search engine – sends requests for information to several
search engines simultaneously and compiles the results
As the results are compiled, duplications are eliminated, thus
yielding fewer results than a search engine
Examples: Google Custom Search Engine, www.excite.com,
http://webcrawler.com
Subject directories – searchable databases that are developed
and maintained by human selection of sites to search broad
subject categories and their descriptions
Used in research and often linked to library systems
Also referred to as research databases
Mostly made up of thousands of specialized searchable
databases, such as library catalogs and article databases
Subject Directories
Searches for non-HTML formats (PDF, Word, Excel, script-based,
PowerPoint, etc.)
Results in more reliable pages than search engines
Examples: http://infomine.ucr.edu, directory.google.com,
www.lii.org, www.about.com, EBSCOhost, libraryresearch.com,
ERIC, CRIS, incywincy.com, completeplanet.com, Google scholar

5. Internet Search Methods graphic organizer
INTERNET SEARCH TOOLS CONCEPT REVIEW
1. List three types of Internet search tools.
• Search engines
• meta-search engines
• Subject directories
2. How does a meta-search engine like Google Custom Search Engine or
Surfwax differ from an individual search engine like Google or Yahoo?
Meta-search engines search multiple databases and compile the results. Meta-
search engines return fewer, more concentrated results than individual search
engines. An individual search engine searches 1 database of information, while
a meta-search engine searches multiple databases simultaneously.
3. How are subject directories different from search engines?
Subject directories require the user to locate directories and subdirectories and
find related web pages and documents based upon the categories selected.
4. Locate two subject directories on the web and list the URLs of your results.
• http://scholar.google.com/
• http://infomine.ucr.edu/
Answers will vary.
5. Why would you use a subject directory? Give two examples.
A subject directory is used to search for documents in non-web format, such as
PDF files, word documents, and photographs that have been scanned. It is used
to conduct research by government and academic institutions and industry. It is
also referred to as a searchable database.
Possible student answers may include a student or a scientist conducting
research for a project.
Subject directory searches produce results such as research, white papers, and
academic information as opposed to individual and meta-search engines, which
produce results such as web pages, businesses, and commercial sites.

6. Internet Search Methods graphic organizer
INTERNET SEARCH METHODS
Internet Search
Methods
Keying a main idea, phrase, or concept (called a search
string) in the search box with or without quotation marks
Unique terms or phrases
Keyword Synonyms or word variations
“to be or not to be” will return results only of entire
phrase
Use quotation marks to identify a phrase
Field – The search is conducted for a specific title,
Field domain, URL, or host.
Allows the user to adjust the breadth and depth of a
search
A method used to refine a search with the use of operators
with keywords:
Boolean AND, OR
+ and – symbols
Place symbol immediately before keyword
Star Wars +I =Star Wars episode one
Different Language Support searches for words in
Miscellaneous different languages
Spell Checker gives suggestions if the word keyed for
the search is spelled incorrectly
Phonebook uses phone numbers to search for locations
and addresses
Math/equivalents solves basic math problems and
converts equivalents

7. 1.01 Notes
INTERNET SEARCH METHODS CONCEPT REVIEW
1. List four search methods.
• Keyword
• Field
• Boolean logic
• Miscellaneous
2. Keywords are an essential part of searching. What is a keyword search?
Keyword – The main idea, phrase, or concept is keyed in the search box with or
without quotation marks.
• Answers may vary
3. What is a search string?
• Another name for a main idea, phrase, or concept
4. Provide an example of keywords that can be joined with OR to find information on
coastal erosion in North Carolina.
5. Provide an example keywords that can be joined with the AND operator to search
for information on coastal erosion in North Carolina.
• Answers will vary
6. Provide an example how the quotation marks are used to search for information on
the results on coastal erosion in North Carolina.
• “Coastal erosion” “North Carolina”
7. List four miscellaneous methods that are available in search engines like Google.
• Different Language Support searches for words in different languages
• Spell Checker gives suggestions if the word keyed for the search is spelled
incorrectly
• Phonebook uses phone numbers to search for locations and addresses
• Math/equivalents solves basic math problems and converts