Su08Q3

= **Summer 08 Question #3:** = = =  **Information professionals believe that well designed information systems contain**
 * structured access points and vocabulary and that recall and precision must**
 * perform at certain levels. Usability and convenience are also important so that**
 * these systems often provide different interfaces for expert and novice users.**
 * However, many users instead use an Internet search engine and accept the results**
 * of “googling” as satisfactory without even considering the use of databases**
 * available to them.**
 * (a) To what degree are databases relevant for the user of an information resource**
 * in the subject of your selection? Support your statement by comparing the**
 * strengths and weaknesses of a search in a structured information system (e.g.,**
 * ERIC etc.) with a Google search of the Internet.**
 * (b) Discuss issues such as resource availability and quality, search vocabulary**
 * options, search logic, and ranking of results as well as searcher time and effort.**
 * (c) When should a user use an internet search engine instead of a more scholarly**
 * database instead of a search engine?**

Older Responses:
Sp05#2:

Information Environment: School Library

A. Relevance //Google// __Strengths Weaknesses__ Quick Poor academic focus no password too many results no knowledge of how to search not selective challenge of how to evaluate sites that are returned in search result

//Database (example used EBSCO)// __Strengths Weaknesses__ reading level identified password needed eliminates commercial sites subscription needed only newspapers & magazines oddball of newspapers and magazines (mixture of scholarly and popular) selectivity balanced approach includes peer reviewed articles

B. Discuss these terms resource availability quality search vocabulary options search logic ranking time

C. Reasons to Use A Search engine over a database
 * when you have a specific search request
 * quality does not matter
 * searching for personal interest
 * need information that is updated regularly (weather, population data)

A database over a search engine
 * authority does matter
 * searching for academic research

_

In the school library environment, elementary or middle, the decision of whether to use a database or an Internet search engine, often hinges on the following:

Familiarity Ease of access Teacher/Librarian Requirements

Familiarity • Many students have already used an Internet search engine, such as Google or Yahoo(ligans) or Ask.com and we tend to gravitate toward the familiar • Many students have NOT had ready experience with academic databases, at home or at school.

Ease of Access

• Internet Search Engine: Student keys in a term, and selects the “search” button and lots of “hits” magically appear. • Database: Appears to be more difficult to use, usually because there is a series of steps necessary to access the database, often involving use of a password.

Teacher/Librarian Requirements/Impact (intended and unintended)

• Requiring students to use one or the other by planning lessons around one or the other • Setting the “home” page to the database access point instead of an Internet Search Engine home page • Bookmarking preferred search choices and educating students on those options