Skip to Main Content

Newsleaders or The Press and Democracy: Searching Internet

JMC 1323 MCOM 4292/4293 etc.

General Internet Search Tips:

Internet in General

1.     Place a phrase in double quotes to keep it together.

2.     Use more than one search engine. Did you know that 85% of first and second page hits on Google are unique to Google alone? (Source: Information Processing and Management, 2006) That means you need to replicate your search in other search engines.

3.Try using meta-engines instead. Meta-engines search multiple search engines simultaneously. Examples:

  • Mahalo - not a true meta-engine; however, it does search the major three engines and present the results side-by-side in a tabbed-format.
  • Dogpile
  • Clusty

4.     The same principle that is true with databases is true with the Internet. Use the most unique terms possible.

5.     If using the Internet, copy and paste the URL for future reference.

6.     Try limiting your search by domain; e.g., .EDU or .GOV.

7.     Compare items by stating "better than _____" or "reminds me of _____."

8.  For Currency Conversion try phrases like 10 US dollars in Australian money

9. For definitions of words try word +definition.

10.  You can use the Boolean OR (adds every term to your search) but it must be capitalized. Recommended if you need to broaden your search (not finding what you need).

11.  You can search number ranges if you use the ellipse (three periods in a row).

12. Have you tried some of the semantic search engines such as Hakia or Kartoo? Hakia has another separate cite called Credible Hakia. Search engines today use the global keyword method. If you type "dog cat" for your search, today's engines don't know that a poodle is a dog or a calico is a cat. Semantic engines try to correct this problem. These engines are still in the deveopment phase so remember they are not yet perfected.

13. When searching add a plus sign between terms that MUST appear. Example: Paris + Texas

Working under pressure...

This YouTube clip was posted by GWhizIneedAname on August 30, 2006. Jessica Savitch under pressure over the "countdown".

Searching Names

Remember:

Different sources will use different forms of a journalist's name.

Danny Pearl may be Daniel Pearl.  Don't forget to search Nicknames.

Check out this....