Today you will
- run focused searches for your own investigation question.
- log at least three of them in {{code:sm4_search_log}}.
- save your best source so you still have it next week.
Warm-up: Open {{code:sm4_investigation_proposal}} and {{code:sm4_search_cheatsheet}} in {{code:sm4}} if you have them. Finish this sentence in your head: "The one question my investigation must answer is…"
If you have no proposal, write a question down now.
A targeted query uses the key words from your question.
A search log is a spreadsheet of the date, the query, the best result and why it helps.
The best result is the most useful page, which is not always the first link.
To refine a search, you change the words or add a filter like {{code:site:gov.ie}}.
Example
The class will practise with this question:
"What supports help under-25s start a small business in Ireland?"
You will set up your search log and fill in two practice rows with the class. Follow the steps in the box below.
Headings for row 1:
| Date | Query | Best result URL | Why it is useful |
|---|
Search 1: under 25 start business supports Ireland
Search 2: site:gov.ie youth entrepreneurship support
Common issues
- Every result is off-topic. Add Ireland or a place name, or add {{code:site:gov.ie}} to your query.
- You log the first link without reading it. Open the page first, and only log it if it helps answer your question.
- Your file is not in {{code:sm4}}. Move {{code:sm4_search_log}} into {{code:sm4}} in your drive.
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