Project 1: Search Engine Evaluation
In completing this project you will demonstrate that you
can successfully use and evaluate the strength of online research
tools offered on both the World Wide Web and through electronic
library resources. Based on that effort, you will also be able to demonstrate
that you can assess the relative strengths and weaknesses of information
sources
in supporting research.
- Select (A) one major search engine from categories
1, 2, or 3 (Click here for a list of those
search engines) and (B) an electronic database
available through the Joyner Library, and use
them to research a major communication problem of your choosing. Define the
communication problem as outlined in the lecture on "Conducting Literature
Reviews" from week three (you needn't follow the precise plan outlined in
that lecture, but do your best to identify search strong terms so that your
comparison of search engines will be meaningful).
- Use exactly the same techniques for conducting
your search, if they are supported by both search engines. For example, if
both search engines allow boolean searches, use them for both
searches.
- Catalog the number of records each
search finds.
- Review the top twenty (20) records each
search engine finds and ascertain if there is any commonality in those
records.
- If you do find common records, go to those
records (whether websites, books, or articles) and review their contents for
relevance.
- If you find no commonality, select six (6)
records from the top twenty from each search engine (a total of twelve
records) and review their contents for relevance.
- Finally, write a brief assessment that indicates the
relative strengths and weaknesses of the engines you selected to compare. Part
of that assessment should be your recommendation of one, or even both, of
these search engines for future research support.
Examples of Previous Student Submissions in
Fulfillment of Project 1
Click here for a summary of previous student
submissions for Project 1.
Click here for example 1
Click here for example 2
Click here for example 3
Click here for example 4
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Last modified: 09/05/06