RELIGIOUS STUDIES 377

Researching, Writing, and Thinking about Religion


UNIT 1
UNIT 2
UNIT 3
UNIT 4
UNIT DESCRIPTION
WHAT IS THE WEB?
SEARCH ENGINES
DIRECTORIES
THE INVISIBLE WEB
CHOOSING A TOOL
EVALUATING WEB SOURCES
REFERENCE LIST


CHOOSING A TOOL


When to use an Internet Tool

TOOL
USE IT WHEN YOU
Search Engine
  • have specific key words
  • have a specific topic
  • want to search the entire text of a Web page
  • are looking primarily for specific pages rather than the sites they are contained in
Meta-Search Engine
  • have a very specific query
  • want to investigate results across a number of search engines
  • are unsuccessful in searching individual search engines
Directory
  • want an overview of a particular area
  • are looking for invisible Web sources or subject specific-directories
  • are looking for sites by topic rather than individual pages contained within them
  • want previously evaluated sites
  • need ideas for your area
  • are looking for distinctive terms to use in a search engine
  • want annotated listings

light bulbTIP - If a particular strategy or tool is not working try another one. Use all the tools available to you and switch back and forth between them all as your search becomes more refined and more informed.


For an good listing on which tool to choose based on your needs see http://www.noodletools.com/debbie/literacies/information/5locate/adviceengine.html

Review Quiz

What Web search tools would you use if you:

  • Needed a topic for your class on Eastern Religions?
  • Were unsuccessful in locating information on a specific topic through searches in a number of individual search engines?
  • Wanted an image of St Paul?

Click here to take the quiz.

Click here to continue to the next section


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