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One of the most effective ways to focus your Internet search is to use “wedge words.” Coined by Internet librarian Marylaine Block, wedge words are powerful search terms that are good at prying out specific kinds of information. They pull the most relevant results to the top of the list of hits.
Here are some examples of wedge words and when to use them:
FAQ: FAQ stands for “frequently asked questions.” Add faq to your search when you know very little about a subject area. The top search results will be web pages that contain explanations of concepts and procedures.
Review: Whether you’re looking for information on digital cameras, or you want to read others’ opinions about Joe Shmo’s book, you’ll have lots of relevant hits to pick from if you add review to your search terms.
Abstract: What’s the first thing you see below the title in journal articles? An abstract. If you’re looking for research articles, adding the word abstract to your search yields better results than using the word, research!
Database: Another way to find scholarly material, as well as data. Most research resides not on the public Web, but within private collections of articles. APA’s PsychInfo is a database. When you include database as a search term, you get lists of books, articles, and facts and figures. Try this: Do a Google search for suicide. Then search suicide database.
Statistics: Just as the word implies, adding statistics to your search words is a quick way to get that kind of information.
Comparison: When you want to compare one or more products, theories or ideas, use compare, comparison or comparison chart in your search.
Tutorial: When you have a how-to question, include tutorial as one of your search words: e.g., wireless networking tutorial.
Other wedge words include: expert, discussion, forum, archive, demographics. This is not an exhaustive list. Think about words that would normally be in a title or heading.
With practice you’ll discover your own powerful wedge words that bring your search into focus.
Pauline Wallin conducts telecourses (for 8 CE credits) on Internet Techniques. For details visit http://tinyurl.com/czhpz. She is also Author of the Online Psychologist’s Internet Guide http://snipurl.com/InternetGuide
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