Marquette Elder's Advisor Volume 1 Article 12 Issue 3 Winter

Search Tools: Skills and Strategies Robin C. Schard University of Miami Law School

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Repository Citation Schard, Robin C. (2000) "Search Tools: Skills and Strategies," Marquette Elder's Advisor: Vol. 1: Iss. 3, Article 12. Available at: http://scholarship.law.marquette.edu/elders/vol1/iss3/12

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Tired of wading through ment; Law; Elder Law). Another tists used the directory, Magellan, further millions of Web sites Internet for point- enhanced these tools by using to-point commum- experts to evaluate and rank when using Internet cation. As more sites. Directories are still effi- data became available via the cient search tools, but they do search tools? This guide Internet, researchers needed an have some drawbacks. One dis- efficient way to locate relevant advantage is in navigating the helps you understand information. Early search tools, subject categories. Some Web such as Gopher, Archie, Wais, and pages do not exactly fit within how search tools work others, were not easy for the non- existing categories, and directo- computer expert to use, requiring ries must add more and more and how to use them the searcher to remember different levels of subcategories to accom- commands for each tool. With the modate the ever increasing num- more efficiently. development of the World Wide ber of Web sites. The primary Web and hyperlinks, search tools drawback is that they are limited By Robin C. Schard became easier to use. Researchers in size, and the links can become could just point-and-click their outdated. Other search tools way to interesting Web sites. This may be more comprehensive, meant that even those without but the restricted size of directo- much computer experience could ries may also be a benefit when effectively use the Internet as a searching for basic information. research tool. Search Engines Directories In order to address some of the Directories were one of the earli- drawbacks of directories, search est Web search tools. They are engines were next developed. basically catalogs of Internet According to The Dictionary of sites, usually divided by subject. Multimedia Terms, a search engine For example, Yahoo, one of the is "a program that locates and pre- Robin C. Schard, J.D., M.L.S., is most popular directories, divides sents data, typically associated Head of Public Services at the sites into broad categories and with a sizeable database."' Search University of Miami Law School then subdivides the pages into engines actually go out and search Library. narrower categories (Govern- the Internet periodically. It is all 56 COLUMN On-Line 57 COLUMNOn-Line 57

done by computer. Search engines locate information on the Internet. breaks down into two errors. can be quite comprehensive and One is the metasearch engine. First, researchers do not carefully are often updated, depending on These tools search several search select search terms. A successful the program. Some search engines engines at once. One example is search will depend on the quality index the full text of a Web site, MetaCrawler (www.go2net. of the search terms. Creating on- others only the title or Uniform com/search.html), which searches line searches is not new to legal Resource Locator (URL); some , , WebCrawler, researchers, who have used com- search engines digest the Web con- , AltaVista, Thunderstone, merical databases such as Lexis stantly, others less often. Another The Mining Co., Looksmart, and and Westlaw for years. Before benefit of search engines is that the Yahoo. Metasearch engines should beginning a search, the researcher researcher no longer needs to rely be used sparingly. If the main com- should stop and think about the on assigned categories but can pick plaint about search engines is that terms and phrases that will locate the terms he or she thinks are the results list is too large, search- pertinent information while important. Some search engines ing many engines simultaneously excluding irrelvant results. still include directories, allowing only compounds the problem. Although the researcher is not the researcher to select whichever Metasearch engines can be used being charged for each transaction tool works best. when looking for obscure informa- on the Internet (assuming we are Because of the size of the tion or unique terms. not discussing Lexis and Westlaw Internet and because search Another tool, the minisearch or some other commercial data- engines can index the full text of engine, goes to the other extreme. base on the Internet), it is still vital Web pages, the number of search Rather than search many sites, a to plan the search beforehand. results can be enormous. minisearch engine only searches This is particularly important on Depending on how the search is within one Web site. Despite their the Internet, because the search constructed, a results list in the size, minisearch engines can be tools are not yet terribly sophisti- millions is possible. Search engines very valuable in searching com- cated and therefore it will prevent have tried to address this problem plex or large Web sites. They do, wandering aimlessly on the Web. through relevancy ranking. This however, tend to be very rudimen- So, when planning to search the allows a Web site to be ranked by tary, only searching terms or sim- Internet, as with all things, how closely it matches the ple phrases. remember, "prior proper planning researcher's request. Typically, the prevents poor performance." ranking is determined by how Using Search Tools The second common mistake often or how many search terms My best advice concerning search is not using the advanced search appear in the document (Web tools is not to use them unless features most tools now provide. page). This means that documents absolutely necessary. Even with Most search tools have two containing (numerically) more all of the advancements in search search designs: one for the search terms will appear near the technology, these resources can be novice searcher and one for the top of the results list. Relevancy unwieldy and unreliable. advanced searcher. Sophisticated ranking does not end the problem Executing a successful search still searchers are those who under- of too many results, but it does seems like a game of chance. If stand how to construct searches lessen it. More sophisticated rank- there is a quick, alternate method with connectors or Boolean ing programs are always being of locating the Web address for a logic, or who have been trained designed. Nevertheless, one of the site that will have relevant infor- to search on-line databases. The main complaints about search mation, use that first, either by advanced features give the engines remains that the searcher guessing the address, telephoning researcher better control over may have to wade through a list of someone, or checking a paper the search. For example, rather hundreds of Web sites to find rele- source. If this is not possible, the than browse through 7,660 sites vant information. following suggestions will provide from HotBot when looking for some assistance. "Medicare manuals" (the first Other Search Tools The biggest mistake people government site is number 10, There are a couple of other search make when using a search tool is and it is in Spanish), it would be tools to consider when trying to in crafting their search. This easier to look at the 450 58 Eler's Advisor 58 Elder's Advisor

advanced search results by limit- mation, the researcher may wish tools, including ranking ing the search to English-lan- to start with less comprehensive many of the possible guage sites including the words resources. Directories may, indeed, resources. (The December "Medicare" and "manual" and be better starting points than article looked at 82 differ- "HCFA" with a government search engines. If, for example, the ent sites: http://www.zdnet. domain name (.gov). (The searcher needs a Canadian postal com/pcmag/features/ HCFA site is the first result, and code, Yahoo's Reference section websearch98/intro.html) the Medicare Program Manuals has postal information, but an * Search Engine Watch (www. is the second.) It does, however, Excite search does not reveal the searchenginewatch.com): take a little more time to use direct link to the Canadian Post in Web site that evaluates these features. While there is the first 20 results. As with under- major search engines. It also some standardization, each tool standing advanced search features, provides tips on how best to has its own toolbox of advanced learning a few search tools really use these resources and links search features. These features well will greatly aid the researcher to other sources that evaluate are usually detailed in the "help" in selecting a starting point. A per- search tools. Great site for search tools should or "advanced" section of the son using any possible question con- resource. I would not recom- know at least one directory (e.g., cerning search tools mend memorizing the features Yahoo), one comprehensive for every search tool, but learn- search engine (e.g., HotBot), and a Conclusion ing one or two sources very well subject-specific search tool, if Overall, the main consideration will save time in the end. Table 1 applicable (e.g., Lawrunner). in using search tools is to details some, but certainly not Of course, educating oneself all, of the advanced features for in the use of search tools is not a become familiar with these a few search tools. one-time experience. Search resources before you have to use In addition to constructing a technology is changing just as them. Once the need for infor- satisfactory search, the researcher rapidly as other technology. As mation arises, it is important to must also decide which search tool new tools and new features are treat the search just like any to use as a starting point. introduced, Internet researchers other electronic search. Prepare Generally speaking, it is best to must update their knowledge. before going on-line; decide begin with the smallest tool and The sophisticated searcher will which source is most likely to expand as necessary. For instance, need to read new literature about have the information, and do if you are searching for the the Internet and notice changes not waste too much time before Wyoming statutes, it is much in the design or layout of favorite asking an expert for assistance. faster to go to the State Cases and sources. Some suggested current If you use these tips, your Codes section of Findlaw, which is awareness resources are: Internet searches should be a directory specifically limited to more rewarding and less legal material, than to search * Internet World Online stressful. Infoseek for the same material. (www.iw.com): Evaluates all types (An Infoseek search for Wyoming of Internet innovation, ...... statutes has a results list of including search capabilities 1,536,118, and the direct link to " PC Magazine Online (www. Endnote the current statutes does not zdnet.com/pcmag): On-line 1. Brad Hansen, THE DIcnONARY appear in the first 20 hits.) Even publication that often OF MulMhEDIA: TERMs AND when searching for general infor- describes updates to search ACRONYMS, 194 (1997). COLUMN ,On-Line 59 COLUMN On-Line 59

Table 1. Selected Search Tools and Advanced Features

Search Tools Connectors* Proximity* Truncation Other

Findlaw (www.findlaw.com) AND NEAR (ranked by prox- * = wildcard Allows user to search Directory of legal resources that OR imity of terms) for specific legal sub- may be browsed by general sub- NOT **=variants of jects, such as cases, ject or searched by word; an a word. E.g., codes, tax, etc. excellent place to find basic, fly** finds fly- primary legal material such as ing, flown, codes, court decisions, or direc- flew tories.

Lawrunner AND (8) NEAR (-) (terms within * = wildcard text: (www.lawrunner.com) Takes OR (1) 10 words of each other) title: advantage of Altavista's power- AND NOT (!) " " for exact phrases url: ful search engine but is preset to (+) include domain: look for legal sites. Searches can (-) exclude Refine-like a also be restricted to several thesaurus selected legal and governmental Case sensitive sites.

Altavista (www.altavista.com) See See Lawrunner See See Lawrunner Very large and easy to use. Lawrunner Lawrunner

Excite (www.excite.com) AND " " for exact phrases More Like This - Excite does have some general OR searches for similar reference material, and are sites AND NOT pages arranged by subject. Power (+) include Program searches for search allows user to restrict (-) exclude concepts rather than search through dropdown the specific terms boxes.

HotBot (www.hotbot.com) AND " " for exact phrases * = wildcard Allows user to Powerful and easy to use. It OR Check box for restrict search supports some interesting search NOT word stem- through dropdown features, including searching by (+) include ming boxes date, domain, or media type. (-) exclude Case-sensitive search when you insert capi- tal letters

Infoseek (www.infoseek.com) (+) include " " for exact phrases Search within these Good search format. (-) exclude results-refines search further Advanced search provides convenient forms Case-sensitive search when you insert capi- tal letters 60 Eler's Advisor 60 Elder's Advisor

Table 1. Selected Search Tools and Advanced Features (continued)

Search Tools Connectors* Proximity Truncation Other

Magellan (magellan.excite.com) AND " " for exact phrases Find Similar-locates Subject-oriented directory that OR similar pages allows searching within the NOT Many of the sites are directory. (+) include evaluated and ranked (-) exclude

Yahoo (www.yahoo.com) AND " " for exact phrases * wildcard [t:] restricts searches Subject-oriented directory that OR to title allows searching within the (+) include [u:] restricts searches directory. If your search is (-) exclude to URL unsuccessful, it will default to Pull-down menu for an search. date and other restrictions

* Boolean connectors and proximity terms, such as "AND" and "NEAR," should all be in capital letters.