Unit 3: Search and Evaluate Information Over The Internet PDF

Unit 3 SEARCH AND EVALUATE INFORMATION OVER THE INTERNET Unit Learning Outcomes ✓ Search effectively and critically to evaluate information over the web. 3.1. Search Information "Search for Information" refers to the process of actively seeking and retrieving specific dat...

Unit 3 SEARCH AND EVALUATE INFORMATION OVER THE INTERNET Unit Learning Outcomes ✓ Search effectively and critically to evaluate information over the web. 3.1. Search Information "Search for Information" refers to the process of actively seeking and retrieving specific data, facts, or knowledge from various sources, often utilizing search engines or databases. This can be done for a variety of purposes, such as academic research, professional projects, or personal interest. The key steps in a search for information typically include formulating a clear query or question, using appropriate search tools, evaluating search results, and extracting relevant information to meet the intended purpose. Navigating the sea of information requires more than just typing keywords. In the context of web browsing, "Search for Information" often involves using search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo to locate relevant web pages, articles, or resources related to a particular topic.Effective searching requires refining queries, understanding search operators, and critically evaluating the credibility and reliability of the information obtained. It is a fundamental skill in the digital age for accessing and utilizing the vast amount of information available on the internet. 3.1.1 Search Engines and Their Functions A search engine is a software system embedded in a website that is used to search for information on the World Wide Web. They are powerful tools that enable users to find information on the Internet quickly and efficiently. They index millions of web pages and provide results based on the relevance to the user's query. The search results are generally presented in a line of results often referred to as search engine results pages (SERPs). The information may be a mix of web pages, images, videos, graphics, articles, research papers, and other types of files. Popular Search Engines Google: The most widely used search engine, known for its speed, relevance, and comprehensive index. Google also offers various tools like Google Images, Google Maps, and Google Scholar. 1 Bing: Microsoft's search engine, which integrates well with Windows and Microsoft services. Bing offers unique features like image search, video search, and integration with Microsoft Office. Yahoo: Provides a variety of services including search, news, email, and more. Yahoo search is powered by Bing. DuckDuckGo: Focuses on user privacy and does not track search activity, making it a popular choice for those concerned with privacy. Key Functions of Search Engines  Keyword Search: Users type in words or phrases (keywords) to find relevant web pages.  Advanced Search: Offers options to refine search queries with filters for date, language, region, and more.  Image and Video Search: Allows users to find images and videos related to their queries.  Voice Search: Enables users to perform searches using voice commands, which is especially useful on mobile devices.  Local Search: Helps users find businesses, services, and points of interest in their local area. The Role of Search Engines in Web Development For web developers, understanding how search engines work is crucial for optimizing websites to achieve higher rankings in search results. This process, known as Search Engine Optimization (SEO), involves: Keyword Research: Identifying the keywords that potential visitors use to find related content. On-Page SEO: Optimizing the content and structure of the website to be search-engine friendly. This includes using proper HTML tags, Meta descriptions, and alt text for images. Off-Page SEO: Building backlinks from other reputable sites to improve the website’s authority and ranking. Technical SEO: Ensuring that the website is accessible to crawlers, loads quickly, and is mobile-friendly. By leveraging these techniques, web developers can enhance their site’s visibility, attract more visitors, and achieve their online goals. Search strategy is the action plan which is drawn to conduct a search. It includes several steps and levels of work in information retrieval. 2 There are many issues that need to be considered while formulating an appropriate search statement. These are:  the concepts or facets to be searched and their order;  the term(s) that appropriately represent(s) the search concept;  The feature(s) of the retrieval system concerned; and  The measures to be taken in revising a search statement. Developing a good search strategy requires knowledge about the nature and organization of target database(s) and also the exact needs of the user. Knowledge of the user's exact requirement can greatly affect the actual search and retrieval process. Conversely, the user may wish to obtain all the relevant items (obviously with as small a number of non-relevant items as possible), in which case the search must be exhaustive. The search results that a given search will generate are largely dependent on the search word or phrase used. Different techniques are available to conduct searches effectively so that maximum relevant information is retrieved according to users need. The more exact you can be in your choice of word(s) the more accurate the search results. For web developers and students, mastering these techniques can significantly enhance research capabilities and productivity. Here are some common strategies and techniques: 1. Basic Search: A search can be conducted by entering a single search term or a phrase covering more than one term. Keyword search is the simplest form of search, facility offered by a search system. Basic searches involve entering a few keywords or phrases related to the topic you're interested in. 2. Exact Match Search: An exact match search is a technique used to find results that contain the exact phrase or terms specified in the search query. By using quotation marks around a phrase or set of words, Google will return only those results that contain the precise sequence of words in the same order as typed. This method is particularly useful when looking for specific phrases, names, quotes, or any exact string of text. For example, if you are searching for information on "responsive web design," you would type: This technique is particularly useful for locating specific phrases, quotes, names, and product information, making your search process more efficient and effective. 3 3. Boolean Search: This is a very common search technique that combines search terms according to the Boolean logic. Three types of Boolean search are possible: AND search, OR search and NOT search. A. Boolean AND search: allows users to combine two or more search terms using the Boolean AND operator. A Boolean AND search will retrieve all those items where all the integral terms occur. For example, the following search expression "Internet and WWW" will retrieve all those records where both the terms occur. Boolean AND search adds more restrictions to a search expression by adding more search terms. For example, "HTML AND CSS" will show results containing both HTML and CSS. B. Boolean OR search: allows users to combine two or more search terms such that the system retrieves all those items that contain either one or all of the constituent terms. Thus, the following search expression "Colleges or Universities" will retrieve all those records (1) where the term Colleges occurs, (2) where the term Universities occurs, and (3) where both the terms occur. Note that this is different to the use of the term 'or' in normal English. Boolean OR search; though adds more terms to a search expression, adds less restrictions to a given search expression, because the search is conducted for occurrence of each single ORed term irrespective of whether the other term(s) occurs or not. Consequently, the output of OR searches will be more. For example, "JavaScript OR Python OR C++" will show results containing either JavaScript or Python or C++. C. Boolean NOT: Excludes results containing the specified term. Search allows users to specify those terms that they do not want to occur in the retrieved records. For example, the following search expression "Search engines NOT Hotbot" will retrieve all the records on search engines except those where the term 'Hotbot' occurs. Boolean NOT searches add restrictions to a search by forcing the search system to discard those items were the NOT term(s) occur. Hence the search output will decrease with increase in the NOT terms. For example, "JavaScript NOT Java" will show results about JavaScript but exclude those about Java. 4  4. Site Search: To search within a specific website, use the "site:" operator. Example: Searching for "CSS Grid site: w3schools.com" will return results about CSS Grid specifically from w3schools.com. 5. Wildcards (*) search: Using an asterisk (*) as a placeholder for any word or part of a word. Google allows the use of asterisks (*) as placeholders for missing words. For example, searching for "web * design" will return results for web development design, web graphic design, web responsive design, etc. 6. File Type Search: Using the file type: operator to search for specific types of files. Example: Searching for "HTML5 cheat sheet file type: pdf" will return PDF files related to HTML5 cheat sheets. 7. Definitions: To get a definition of a word or term, simply type "define:" followed by the word. 3.1.1.1. Improve a search using advanced search features Google's Advanced Search Options provide a powerful way to refine and customize your searches, enabling you to find more specific and relevant information. These options allow you to narrow down your search results based on various criteria. When you have carried out a search using the Google search engine, it is possible to refine your results using advanced search features like: Date, Media types, Language, Usage rights. Here's a description of the key Advanced Search Options: Exact Words: Find results that include an exact phrase enclosed in quotation marks. This ensures that search results match the phrase precisely. Exclude Words: Exclude specific terms from your search to filter out irrelevant results. Site or Domain: Search for content within a specific website or domain by using the "Site or domain" field. This is useful when you want to find information from a particular source. File Type: Specify a file type, such as PDF, to search for documents in that format. This is helpful when looking for specific types of files. 5 Usage Rights: Filter results based on usage rights, which helps you find content that can be reused, modified, or shared commercially. This is useful for content creators or educators. Region: Narrow your search results to a specific region or country to find information relevant to a particular location. Last Update: Choose a time frame (e.g., past day, past week, past month) to find content that has been updated recently. Safe Search: Activate Safe Search to filter out explicit or adult content from search results, making your search experience more family-friendly. Language: Specify the language in which you want your search results to appear 3.1.1.2. Reverse Image Search Google Reverse Image Search is a feature provided by Google that allows users to search for information, related images, and sources using an image as the search query instead of text. This tool is valuable for discovering more about a particular image, identifying its source, finding visually similar images, and exploring web pages where the image appears. Google's Reverse Image Search uses advanced algorithms to analyze the content of the uploaded image and retrieve relevant information. Key Use Cases for Google Reverse Image Search: Verifying Image Authenticity: Check if an image has been edited or manipulated by comparing it with the original or other versions online. Identifying Sources and Attribution: Find the original source of an image to provide proper attribution or credit, especially for creative works. Researching Products or Objects: Use reverse image search to identify objects, products, landmarks, or artworks within an image. Detecting Fake Profiles or Scams: Verify the authenticity of profile pictures on social media or dating platforms to identify potential scams or fake accounts. 6  Locating Higher-Resolution Versions: Find higher-resolution versions of images for various purposes, such as printing or design projects. Google Reverse Image Search is a versatile tool that empowers users to delve deeper into the content and context of images found online. It is particularly useful for fact-checking, image verification, and obtaining more information about visual content. 3.2. Critical Evaluation In the digital age, it's essential to critically evaluate online information to ensure its accuracy, reliability, and credibility. When you start searching for suitable resources, you will want to select resources that improve your knowledge and you’re learning experiences. And you will want to select accurate and reliable content. However, selecting appropriate resources can sometimes seem vast. There are so many options to choose from and so many decisions to make about their suitability. And knowing when content is accurate and from a reliable source, especially when searching online, isn’t always straightforward. There are many sites, blogs and social media posts that aim to share inaccurate information to mislead people, either to further a political or religious agenda or for financial gain. There are hoax sites and “Fake news” sites and posts that are written as though they are factual and true but they are actually fabricated. There are also sites and posts that use misinformation and inaccuracies to promote radical ideologies or to support a particular point of view. It is important for students to always critically evaluate online content to make sure that it is from a reliable source and can be trusted. In order to select suitable, effective and trustworthy resources, you should always critically evaluate resources using a well-defined set of evaluation criteria. 3.2.1. Source Credibility Assessment Users must critically evaluate the credibility of online sources. Understand the criteria for assessing reliability, bias, and expertise. Evaluating is about determining and assessing the quality and credibility of the information you find. It encourages you to think critically about the reliability, validity, accuracy, authority, timeliness, point of view or bias of information sources. There are certain frameworks that information professionals have put together to help people think critically about the information provided. One of them and a highly used framework is the CRAAP framework. The CRAAP framework is a set of criteria designed to help individuals evaluate information sources for their credibility, reliability, and relevance. The acronym 7 "CRAAP" stands for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose. Let's delve into each component in detail: Currency: Definition: Refers to the timeliness of the information, i.e., how recent it is. Questions to Ask: When was the information published or last updated? Is the information still current and applicable to the topic? Relevance: Definition: Focuses on the importance of the information in relation to your research or information needs. Questions to Ask: Does the information relate to your topic or research question? Is it suitable for your academic or informational purposes? Authority: Definition: Examines the source's credibility and the qualifications of the author or organization providing the information. Questions to Ask: Who is the author, and what are their credentials or qualifications? Is the author affiliated with a reputable institution or organization? Accuracy: Definition: Assesses the reliability and truthfulness of the information. Questions to Ask: Are the facts and claims supported by evidence or citations? Can the information be verified through other reputable sources? Purpose: Definition: Explores the intent behind the information, whether it is to inform, persuade, entertain, or sell a product. Questions to Ask: What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, entertain, or persuade? Is there potential bias or a conflict of interest? Applying the CRAAP framework involves considering each of these criteria when evaluating a source. It helps individuals develop a comprehensive understanding of the information's quality and reliability. Keep in mind that the importance of each criterion may vary depending on the context of your research or information needs. This framework is commonly used in academic settings to guide students and researchers in critically evaluating sources before incorporating them into their work. 3.3. Copyright and Data Protection There are a vast number of digital resources online that you can use. However, there are rules and responsibilities when using online resources. These rules apply to anyone using online 8 resources including students, teachers, researchers, leaders, and managers so ensure that they know their responsibilities as well. In the digital age, understanding copyright and data protection is crucial, especially for web developers. These concepts not only protect creators and their work but also safeguard personal data and privacy. As web developers, it’s essential to be aware of these laws and regulations to create ethical and secure websites. 3.3.1. Copyright Laws in the Digital World Copyright laws are designed to protect the rights of creators by giving them control over how their work is used. In the digital world, these laws apply to various forms of media, including text, images, music, and videos. For web developers, respecting copyright is vital to avoid legal issues and to maintain the integrity of their work. Copyright grants the creator of original work exclusive rights to its use and distribution. This applies to literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, as well as sound recordings, films, and broadcasts. In the context of web development, this means that any content you use on a website, from images and music to code snippets and text, must either be original, properly licensed, or used with permission. The digital world makes it easy to share and copy content, which can lead to unintentional copyright infringement. For example, using a photo found on the internet without permission or proper attribution can lead to legal consequences. Web developers must ensure that all assets used in a website are either created by them, licensed for their use, or available under a Creative Commons license. Additionally, understanding the duration of copyright, typically the creator’s lifetime plus 70 years helps in knowing when works enter the public domain and can be used freely. Infringement of copyright can result in significant penalties, including fines and legal actions. To avoid these issues, always obtain the necessary permissions or licenses for the content you use. For instance, if you’re using a piece of music on your website, ensure it is either royalty-free or you have the appropriate license. Using tools like Google’s "Usage Rights" search filter or websites that offer free-to-use or licensed content can help in finding legally usable materials. 3.3.2. Data Protection rights and obligations Data protection laws are designed to safeguard individuals' personal information from misuse and unauthorized access. These laws outline the rights of individuals regarding their data and the obligations of organizations that collect and process this data. For web developers, understanding and implementing these laws is crucial to build trust with users and ensure compliance with legal standards. Personal data includes any information that can identify an individual, such as names, 9 addresses, email addresses, and social security numbers. Data protection laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the United States give individuals control over their personal data. These laws grant rights such as access to personal data, the right to rectify incorrect data, the right to have data erased, and the right to data portability. For web developers, this means implementing features that allow users to exercise these rights. For instance, providing a user-friendly interface where users can update their personal information or request the deletion of their account is essential. Moreover, developers need to implement robust security measures to protect personal data from breaches. This includes using encryption, secure protocols like HTTPS, and regularly updating software to fix vulnerabilities. Data controllers, typically the organizations that own the websites, have specific obligations under data protection laws. They must ensure that personal data is collected for legitimate purposes, kept secure and not retained longer than necessary. For example, a web developer working on an ecommerce site must ensure that customers' payment details are securely processed and stored, complying with PCI DSS standards. Regular data protection audits and impact assessments can help in identifying potential risks and ensuring compliance. Training for all team members on data protection principles and best practices is also crucial. Informing users about how their data is collected, used, and protected through clear privacy policies helps build trust and transparency. In summary, understanding and adhering to copyright and data protection laws is essential for web developers. These principles not only protect creators and individuals but also promote ethical practices and trust in the digital world. By respecting copyright and safeguarding personal data, web developers can create secure, compliant, and trustworthy websites. 10