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  Using Internet as a Research Tool

Topic 1 Introduction to Internet Resources

Categories    Subjects    Purpose    Search Facilities  Search Strategy

Directories vs Search Engines

Directories

Search engines

  • Human-compiled
  • Small number of pages in the database, low millions
  • Machine-compiled
  • Hugh number of pages in the database, hundreds of millions


Subject Directories

  • Also known as subject catalogs
  • Allows contents to be located quickly
  • Topical lists arranged in a hierarchical way
  • Can also be searched by keywords
    • Search can be done by using key phrases.
  • Users select a particular category in order to find information
    • Topics are organized from the more general to the more specific
  • Differs in the level of quality control
    • General e.g. Yahoo!
    • Subject specific e.g. Cyndi’s list
    • Reviewed e.g. Britannica.com

Directories are unique as they are compiled by humans who make the conscious decision whether or not to include a certain entry. A good directory will contain cross-references among the different entries
Each directory differs from others in terms of their level of quality control. For example, some rely on submitters to provide annotations that determine its location in the hierarchy.
Browsing is the most effective way.

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