Introduction to Research Skills

Introduction to Research Skills

Aim: To refine our searches on search engines like Google, Bing, etc.

Poll

I would rate my research skills as...

• incredible! I can research anything!

• good, but could be improved.

• needing improvement.

• What is research?!

Open Ended

What is a "search engine"?

A search engine is...

• A web-based tool that enables users to locate information on the World Wide Web.

• Popular examples of search engines are Google, Yahoo!, and MSN Search

Open Ended

What search engines do you normally use?

Multiple Choice

What is a URL (Uniform Resource Locator)?

• a web address

• a search engine

Poll

I want to know the natural colour of Jennifer Lawrence's hair. What do I put into the search engine?

• What is Jennifer Lawrence's natural hair colour?

• Jennifer hair

• Jennifer Lawrence hair

• Jennifer Lawrence natural hair colour

To get the most accurate search result...

• Use keywords, e.g. "Jennifer Lawrence natural hair colour"

• Don't ask questions, e.g. "what is Jennifer Lawrence's natural hair colour?"

Poll

If I directed you to the following article, how would you find it?

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-19/nsw-covid-19-restrictions-eased-around-gatherings/12781214

• Search the entire URL/web address into my search bar.

• Search the key words: NSW COVID-19 restrictions eased gatherings

• Search the key words AND the main URL - abc.net.au + NSW COVID-19 restrictions eased gatherings

• I have another idea that I'd like to share with the class.

Poll

Try finding it!

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-19/nsw-covid-19-restrictions-eased-around-gatherings/12781214.

Which was the fastest method?

• Searching the entire URL

• Searching the key words: NSW COVID-19 restrictions eased gatherings

• Searching the key words AND the main URL - abc.net.au + NSW COVID-19 restrictions eased gatherings

• My own method

To search within a specific website...

• A specific website might be ABC News or SBS News

• site: [add URL here]

Open Ended

If I wanted to find an article on abc.net.au about an elderly woman who was mysteriously left alone outside a Queensland hospital and is refusing to reveal who she is. What would I search?

Poll

What did you find?

• Something else similar.

• Something completely different.

Open Ended

How would you search for Homer, the author, NOT Homer Simpson?

How to search for something specific

• What if you wanted to search for the Homer's birthday, the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, but kept getting Homer Simpson's birthday?

How to search for something specific...

• Search for the key words

• Add a negative symbol (-) before the word you don't want to come up

I want to know about steel drums that hold liquid, NOT the instrument.

What do I search? Hmmm....

Fill in the Blanks

To find out about steel drums that hold liquid, NOT the instrument, I would search ...

Poll

Have you learned a new way to research something today?

• Yes.

• No.

• I knew it before but this helped me remember!

Poll

Do you need more practice with these skills?

• Yes.

• No.

• A little bit.