Assignment Number 3: Analysis of
Web Search Engine's Advanced Searching Features

Requirement: Conduct and write an analysis (typed, double-spaced, margins 1 inch all around, Times New Roman, 11 pitch, no title except on the cover sheet) of the advanced search features on a major Web Search Engine of your choosing. A list of search engines is included below for your convenience and is also available on the Web, in the course syllabus, at http://jimjansen.tripod.com. Choose one of the search engines.

Focus: The focus for this assignment is to analysis a system in a logical, factual, and systemic manner. Hopefully, you will also gain an understanding of advanced search techniques, which may improve your use of Web systems. Just as importantly, the assignment will be a tool to learn the effective use and presentation of data in a written report.

Test Data: Using the queries, attention deficit disorder and welfare state, compare the effect of your search engines search rules on the results (i.e., documents returned).

Analysis Procedure:

• In comparing search techniques, use the results of the simple search (i.e., just enter the queries in the search box) as the baselines.
• Then, compare these baselines to all the advanced search techniques, typically AND, OR, +, &, or other searching operators). Only use the first ten (10) hits from the result lists. If there were less than 10 results, use that number. In your comparison, you must report the total number of hits from each search (i.e., 10 or less), the number of hits that were the same as the baseline for that query, and the percentage that this number represents of the baseline.
• Include as appendices a list of the results for each, appropriately labeled (e.g., Baseline Search: "unicorn animation ", AND search: "unicorn animation ", etc.).
• After you conduct the searches and analysis, what is your opinion of advanced searching techniques relative to the simple searching technique? Relate to your analysis to your reading of Whitten & Bentley (1998).
• Shift your focus to the queries. Due you think the queries are effective? That is, are you satisfied with the results?

Presentation: Key to an analysis and a report using data is a logical and coherent presentation format. A sample way to present the data is:

Appendix A: Baseline "attention deficit disorder"

Appendix B: AND Search: "attention AND deficit AND disorder"

Specifics:

• In your write-up, include the standard reference information (author, publication date, article title, journal, and Web site with date downloaded) if applicable.
• Provide a brief review of the search engine, including the URL and a summary of the searching techniques offered (i.e., for this, a "cut and paste" along with some formatting with suffice). For the searching techniques, be sure an address all search operators offered. Typical ones are, AND, OR, +, &, NEAR. There is no need to address negative searching operators such as: Not, -, !.
• Address the questions presented above.
• Reminder to include a cover sheet in accordance with the syllabus.
• Be prepared to deliver a 10-minute presentation on your analysis to the class. Have one slide (we will use the computer and projector) to present your data.

Due: The review is due at the start of the class period, Week 5, 6 May 2000.

Chose one of the Following Search Engines:

1. AltaVista : http://www.altavista.com/
2. Excite : http://www.excite.com/
3. FAST Search : http://www.alltheweb.com/
4. Go / Infoseek : http://www.go.com/
5. HotBot : http://www.hotbot.com/
6. Lycos : http://www.lycos.com/
7. Northern Light : http://www.northernlight.com/
8. Snap: http://www.snap.com