Contextualized online search and research skills

• Online search - Interactively looking up and retrieving internet information
• Contextual online search - Using strategies to optimize search results
•  Online research - Utilizing internet for research
• How to Conduct Online Research

  1. Identify credible websites 
  2. Use research-friendly web browser
  3.  Use multiple search engines and keywords
  4. Bookmark useful pages
  5. Filter and validate content
  6. Cite and reference appropriately 
• Search engine - A software system designed to carry out web searches and retrieve information.
•  Indexing - The process of scanning, parsing, and storing data to facilitate fast and accurate information retrieval.
• Crawler - An automated program that systematically browses the internet to index web pages.
• Plagiarism - Presenting someone else’s work or ideas as your own.
• Paraphrasing - Restating content from a source text in your own words.
• Contextual online search - using strategies to optimize search results
• Online research  - Utilizing internet-based resources to systematically investigate topics

  Broader than just search, involves collecting, analyzing, validating info
• Stages of Gathering Online Information

  1. Crawling
  2. indexing
  3. ranking
• Crawling

            - Special programs scan publicly available web page contents
• Indexing

           -Information gathered added to searchable databases
• Ranking 

        - Algorithms determine order of results displayed
• Evaluating Online Information 

       A. Accuracy

            1. Information verifiable from other sources?

       B. Authority 

            1. Source reputability and expertise

       C. Objectivity

            1. Fair, balanced perspective provided

       D. Currency   

            1. Content up-to-date for topic needs

       E. Relevancy

            1. Aligns with specific research requirements

       F. Accessibility 

            1. Available directly online with clear sourcing
• Red Flags

       A. Broken links or images  

       B. Numerous grammar/spelling errors

       C. Unsigned or nonexistent author 

       D. Stilted or unclear writing

       E. Vague attribution of facts/statistics

       F. Issues with website certification/security    
• Types of Websites  

       A. News platforms

            1. Regularly updated, archived articles 

       B. Commercial sites

            1. Promote products, services, brands

       C. Organizational

            1. Support causes and organizations   

       D. Blogs

            1. Commentary, personal reflections

       E. Academic 

            1. Host scholarly publications

       F. Encyclopedic

            1. Collect structured information summaries 
• II. User-Generated Content Models

       A. Wiki

            1. Openly editable with version histories

       B. Forum 

            1. Discussions organized into threads

       C. Social Media

            1. Facilitate community participation 
• III. Other Types

       A. Databases

            1. Searchable data aggregators and indexes

       B. Multimedia 

            1. Host images, videos, audio, podcasts

       C. Government

            1. Information & e-services provision
• I. Early Stages - Discovery & Gathering

  II. Intermediate Stage - Filtering & Processing 

  III. Final Stage - Completion & Curation
• Browser Features for Research 

  I. Tabbed Browsing

  II. History & Caching 

  III. Bookmarking & Annotation

  IV. Password Management
• Search Strategies and Techniques  

  I. Multi-Engine Queries

  II. Advanced Syntax Commands

  III. Search Procedure Refinement

  IV. Complementary Lookup Types
• Citing Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism

  I. Reasons for Source Attribution
• Citing Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism

  I. Reasons for Source Attribution

  II. Acceptable Use Cases

  III. Core Citation Components

  IV. Citation Management Tools
• Critical Thinking in Online Research

  I. Evaluating Search Results

  II. Considering Motivations

  III. Mitigating Personal Biases 
• Ethical Use of Online Information

  I. Respect Copyright Protections

  II. Compensate Sources When Possible

  III. Uphold Attribution Standards

  IV. Safeguard Sensitive Information As Warranted
• Information Literacy Standards 

  I. Outline Core Online Research Competencies

  II. Stress Key Ethical Principles 

  III. Position as Ongoing Development Process
• Additional Resources

  I. Online Search Tools

  II. Citation Management

  III. Research Skills Development