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 that 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 and from the state pages to the pages for each county.


 * 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

 * How to use this search method


 * Click on the words "by country", which can be found both on the ResearchWiki home page and on the first page of each article near the search bar. An alphabetical list of countries will appear.


 * Advantages of this search method:


 * Most articles on the ResearchWiki relate specifically to a particular political entity, such as a country, state, county or town. Searching "by country" allows you to access articles relating to any particular country, plus articles for political subdivisions of that country.


 * Limitations of this search method:


 * This search method cannot be used to access articles that are not related to any particular geographic area. For example, one cannot use this search method to find articles relating to methodology or finding aids.


 * This search method does not allow access to geographic based articles that are not specific to a particular existing country. For example, this method will not lead to articles relating to former countries (for example, Austo-Hungarian Empire) or to larger geographic subdivisions (for example, Asia, Scandanavia, Polynesia or Middle East).
 * This search method does not allow access to geographic based articles that are not specific to a particular existing country. For example, this method will not lead to articles relating to former countries (for example, Austo-Hungarian Empire) or to larger geographic subdivisions (for example, Asia, Scandanavia, Polynesia or Middle East).


 * 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.

Search by Keywords

 * How to use this search method


 * In the search box, enter the key word or words related to the topic. Click on the magnifying glass in the search box and you will reach the search results. From the search results, select the article that appears closest to your search.


 * The search results include all articles that include all of the key words within the the title, following by the articles that contain all of the key words within the text of the article.


 * The top box within Search results shows the number of results. On the first page of the Search results, up to 20 articles are shown. At the bottom of the "Search results" page, you can increase the number of results shown, more to the next list of results or move to a previous results.


 * Advantages of this search method


 * This is the most flexible search method.


 * Searching by keywords theoretically allows access to all wiki articles.


 * If you know the name of the article that you can seek, this search method allows you to find that article very quickly.


 * Limitations of this search method


 * The results obtained depend on the keywords selected. If you use a single general word, you may obtain too many results; as a result, it may be time consuming to find articles relating to the topic that you see. If you use several words, you may obtain few results and miss the articles that you seek.


 * '''Suggestions for expanding your search


 * As discussed in connection with searching "by country", one can look for other related articles by clicking on a category listed at the bottom of the article.

Search by Topic

 * How to use this search method