By now, many of you have probably been using the Internet and the World Wide Web for years, but how much do you really know about the Web, its contents and its search tools? Here's a quick quiz to find out. Try to answer each question, then click the question to see the correct answer. No grades--this is just for you.
1. True or False. The World Wide Web is only one part of the Internet.
True.
You probably hear the words "Internet" and "World Wide Web" (or simply "the Web") used interchangeably today, but they are not the same thing. ... Learn more about this topic.
False.
Knowing how to build a good search statement will generally give you a better chance of finding the information you need on the Web--IF it's actually on the Web. But there is a huge body of scholarly literature and general information which has never been digitized and put online, and even much online information which is not accessible via the Web. You could do the best search ever, but if no one has put this information on the World Wide Web, you obviously won't find it there.
False.
No search engine searches the entire Web. Each one decides which websites to visit and builds a database of words, phrases and files collected from those websites only.
4. True or False. The "Invisible Web" is information which most Web search engines can't find.
True.
There is a wealth of information which cannot be reached by general Web search engines. Articles inside the library's databases are one example. Read more to find out how you can access some of this information.
False.Although many search engines label advertisements which show up with your search results, some do not. Also, advertisements are targeted to the topics you search, so it's easy to mistake them for real informational links.
6. True or False. If I use a Web subject directory, I will find a huge number of excellent information sources.
False.In a Web directory, you are more likely to find a small number of high-quality resources.
7. Many search engines let you force the search engine to exclude a word or phrase from your search by:
a) Using the word "omit" with your search words.
like this: (bass (omit music))
b) inserting a minus sign - in your search words directly before the word or phrase you want to exclude
like this: (college -electoral)
c) Using parentheses ( ) around the word or phrase in your search statement
like this: chocolate chip cookies (walnuts)
b. To exclude a word or phrase in your search statement, try putting a minus sign directly in front of the word or phrase.
8. True or False. Web search engines are all pretty much alike.
False.
While all search engines will display a list of search results based on the words you entered in their search boxes, they search different groups of websites, offer different shortcuts for perfecting your search, arrange search results in different ways, etc. To get the full benefit of a search engine, it's a good idea to read its online Help instructions. It's also a good idea to search for your topic with more than one search engine.
True.
Unfortunately, a number of Web search engines now try to "personalize" your search experience by tweaking your search results to match what they think your interests are. Learn more about this topic.