This document provides tips and strategies for effectively researching information online. It discusses the importance of using reliable sources like purchased databases, library books, and pre-selected teacher-approved sites. It outlines steps to take when searching like using good keywords and synonyms. Important factors to examine in search results are the URL, author, date, and quality of information. Domain extensions can provide clues to the type of site. The document recommends using the triangle method of research by cross-checking information across multiple sources. Key strategies discussed are the REAL acronym for critical web searching which stands for Read, Examine, Ask, and Look. Other tips include searching within a specific site or domain, comparing different search engines, and evaluating website pairs

1. Case File #4: Be a
Search-Savvy Detective
Investigation Skills for Students
(and Other Interested Learners!)
#DigiFoot12 July 24, 2012

2. Who is today's lead detective?
Tracy Poelzer
•District Technology Coordinator, SD #73
Kamloops, BC Canada
•Teacher-Librarian
•Mom of two teenagers
Twitter: @TracyPoelzer
http://smallbytes.blogs.sd73.bc.ca

3. •Participate through Blackboard
Collaborate interaction tools (thumbs-
up, applause, happy face, etc.)
•Type questions or comments in the
chat section - The "wing men"
moderators will keep track of
questions so we can answer them at
the end of the session
•Feel free to tweet about what we're
learning in this session by using the
Twitter hashtag: #DigiFoot12

4. Steps to Effective Research
1. Good quality, purchased databases
and subscription resources
(encyclopedias, peer-reviewed articles,
etc.)
2. Library books (make sure content
is relevant/current).
3. Pre-selected sites
- (teacher-approved)
Google Custom Search
Sweet Search site
4. Searching the free web Do you follow
these steps?

5. Great Things About the Internet Not-So-Great Things About the Internet
Anyone can be an author Anyone can be an author
Anyone can share opinions, thoughts, Anyone can share opinions, thoughts,
feelings on subjects with a large feelings on subjects with a large
audience. audience.
There are tons of great, free tools There are tons of great, free tools
available that allow people to easily create available that allow people to easily create
professional looking sites. professional looking sites.
An overwhelming amount of information on An overwhelming amount of information on
any given topic is available to us at the click any given topic is available to us at the click
of a button, 24/7. of a button, 24/7.
Super search engines allow us to peruse Super search engines allow us to peruse
information on the web from a multitude of information on the web from a multitude of
sources. sources.

6. Image found at: http://blogs.csm.arts.ac.uk/documentation-2009/serra-tansel/paper/

7. How can we search through
everything in this "tangled web"
and just get to the good stuff?
Image found at: http://www.123rf.com/photo_4786396_a-man-
tangled-up-in-wires-and-cables.html
Are you a confident web searcher?

8. Start with good keywords (and synonyms)
·Keep it simple - don't use too many words
·Are there other ways to say the same thing? Think of
synonyms, check results and "related searches", etc. for
other suggestions of words or word combinations that
could be used in your search.
·Don't incorporate an answer into your search query....
you just might find what you're looking for (and it might
not be right). (Ie: "Is the average length of an octopus
18 inches?"

9. Carefully Examine (and Think Critically
About) Your Search Results
The first result is not necessarily the best result!
·What does the url (website address) tell you? Do you
recognize the domain name / extension?
·Who is the author/owner of the site?
·How old is the website? Is it current?
·Does the site appear to have quality information?
Are there spelling/grammatical errors? Any other
"red flags"?
·Are multiple sites telling you the same information?
(triangle method of research)

10. Domain Extensions
Let's use the Blackboard Collaborate whiteboard to brainstorm some domain
extensions....

11. Extension Guide
(based on the list in Alan November's "Web Literacy for Educators Book)
.edu Higher education (most U.S. colleges)
.ac Academic institution (outside of U.S. - not usually Canada)
.k12 U.S. school site (not all U.S. schools use this)
.sch Schools in United Kingdom (not all U.K. schools use this)
.com Commercial site
.co Company (usually used with a country code: e.g., co.uk)
.org Any organization
.gov Government agency
.gc.ca Canadian government agency
.net Network
.mil U.S. Military

12. Country Code Examples
.at Austria .ie Ireland
.au Australia .in India
.ca Canada .iq Iraq
.ch Switzerland .it Italy
.cn China .jp Japan
.de Germany .nz New Zealand
.es Spain .pk Pakistan
.et Ethiopia .uk United Kingdom
.fr France .us United States
.gr Greece .za South Africa

13. Who is the author of the site?
·Scan the perimeter of the site for info.
·Is there an author mentioned?
·Is there a company, organization or school
name on the website?
·Is there an email or contact information listed on the
website?
·What does WHOis tell you about the owner of this site?
Try a site like http://www.easywhois.com/

14. How Old is the Site?
·Scan the perimeter and look for "Last update"
information.
·Examine date/time stamp on blog posts, etc.
·If this site links to other sites, are the links current and
"live"?
Is the Site Well-Written? Are there "Red Flags"?
·Are there spelling/grammatical errors that would
indicate that this might not be a high quality
website?
·Does the information seem realistic?
·Remember: It can be convincing, well-written, and
professional looking, but it still might not be true.

15. The Triangle Method of Research
1
3 2 Have you used the
triangle method with
your students?

16. Great Acronym for Critical Web Searching
(courtesy of Alan November's "Web Literacy for Educators")
R Read the URL
E Examine the Content
A Ask About the Author and Owner
L Look at the Links

17. Other Strategies to Try
More information and tutorials on these topics
can be found in this week's Case File resources
on the Digifoot12 wiki
• If in doubt, do another search (or compare to other types of
resources/media, etc.)
• Search within a domain extension type
i.e.: "election site:.bc.gc.ca"

18. Other Strategies to Try
More information and tutorials on these topics
can be found in this week's Case File resources
on the Digifoot12 wiki
• Search within a specific, reliable site.
i.e. "mars site:nasa.gov"

19. Other Strategies to Try
More information and tutorials on these topics
can be found in this week's Case File resources
on the Digifoot12 wiki
·Test out different search engines.
Google is not the only one out there,
and might not be the best tool for the
job!
Choose the Best Search for your Information Need

20. Your Case Assignments!
1. Go to the assignment wiki at: http://searchsavvy.pbworks.com
Please print off the evaluation checklist. Work through at least one
of the pairs of websites and decide which is reliable and which is
not. If you have time, evaluate more than one pair of websites .
2. Scroll down to the "Other Great Links to Investigate" section on
the DigiFoot12 wiki (week 4). Try out some of the resources to
help you hone your search/investigation skills!
3. If you are an educator or parent, visit this Google Doc that lists
resources for teaching search strategies. Check out some of the
resources listed in this document, and please add any that you can
recommend as well!

21. Questions?