User:Nolaneclark/sandbox/Wiki Search Tips and Strategies

ResearchWiki provides three different methods to search for articles. This article explains each of the three methods.

Alternative Search Methods

 * Search by Country


 * This allows you to select a country from an alphabetical list and go directly to the home page for the country.


 * From the country home page, one can access home pages for political subdivisions. For example, from the United States home page, one can go directly to the various state pages.


 * Search by Keywords


 * This search methods operates similarly to the search engine for Wikipedia. The search engine looks for keywords found in the titles and text of the articles on the ResearchWiki.


 * For example, one can type in key words such as:
 * England
 * Iowa cemeteries
 * African American Research


 * Search by Topic


 * This allows you to search articles that have been categorized by topic. This is similar to using a table of contents, divided into categories and subcategories.

Search by Country

 * Advantages of this search method:


 * Most articles on the ResearchWiki are organized by political entity, for example, by country, state, county or town. Searching by Country will lead you relatively quickly to the home pages for various political entities.


 * Limitations of this search method:


 * This search method cannot be used to access articles not related to a specific geographic area.


 * This search method does not allow access to geographic based articles that are not specific to an existing country. For example, this method will not lead to articles relating to former countries are to larger areas such as a continent.
 * This search method does not allow access to geographic based articles that are not specific to an existing country. For example, this method will not lead to articles relating to former countries are to larger areas such as a continent.


 * Suggestions for expanding your search:


 * Each wiki article should be desiginated as belonging withon one or more categories. Near the bottom of each article, one will find the assigned category or categories.  For example, on the bottom of the home page for Virginia, one can find" "Categories:Virginia|States of the United States".  By clicking on the word "Virginia", you will access the page "Category:Virginia". This lists: (1) subcategories within Category:Viriginia and (2) pages directly categorized within Category:Virginia.  Within these pages and subcategories, one should be able to locate all articles relating to Virginia.