University of Minnesota Libraries

Using Search Engines to Find
World Wide Web Pages

Assignment for
QuickStudy Module 5: Finding World Wide Web Pages

  1. Complete QuickStudyModule 5: Finding World Wide Web Sites.

  2. Your instructor will arrange the class in groups. If you're in Group 1, use the Northern Light search engine (http://northernlight.com).

    If you're in Group 2, use the Google search engine (http://www.google.com).

  3. Enter the group's search in your search engine.

  4. Fill out the following chart.

      Google Northern Light
    How many "hits" (number of retrieved items) did you get for your search?    
    Can you tell from the search engine if the hits for the retrieved items are ranked (that is, listed in any particular order)?    
    Look at the first 5 hits of your search. How do the titles/content/purpose of these first 5 differ between the two search engines?    
    For your search, are there any Web pages you would use in a scholarly paper? Why or why not?    
    In your opinion, which search engine retrieved the most useful items for your particular search?    

  5. Try searching for other Web pages on your topic. Make a note of your search strategies, as well as comments and questions you have.

    QuickStudy: Library Research Guide

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