The week before the break, we were introduced to invisible web which is also known as database or deep web or dark matter. Databases are basically test pages, files or other high quality authorative information available via the World Wide Web that general purpose search engines(that is, Google or Yahoo)will not add to their web pages. It works just like the normal search engines which means that one is able to use Boolean operators. One unique feature of a databsae is that the user is able determine which year he wants the data to be from. Some examples of databases are TP's Digital Library Portal Site and TP's E-books database ITPRO.
This week, we were told to evaluate the effectiveness of databases.
After looking through two different databases, i feel that it is more effective to search on the databases rather than on search engines, meta search engines or subject directories. This is mainly due to the nature of my research topic and how the search results from the database differ from those found on the other three internet search facility. Because of the nature of my research topic, information from journals and articles are more relevant and reliable as compared to information from blogs and etc.
Information from EbscoHost were mainly from journals and they were comprehensive and detailed. As I had access to EbscoHost database, i was able to view the full text document. This provided me with more information than i had gathered from searching the different search engines, meta search engines and subject directories.
Another database that i have used for my research is Newslink. Newslink provided me with newspaper articles from The Straits Times or The Business Times on my reasearch topic. It was interesting to read how genetically modified food is impacting the world and the views of journalists and people around the world about it.
Overall, i think that databases are really great as i don't have to worry about the reliability of the information. This is because the journals and articles were from respectable sources which would probably provide information that is accurate. Also, most of the journals and articles found were relevent and i did not have to waste time sorting throught the search results looking for information that is relevant. This managed to shorten the time i spend searching for information.
Although databases are really useful and effective, i think that i will not be using them for research for my diploma. This is because my diploma project rarely require the use of the internet search facilities. Also, the inforomation that i need for them would probably not be found on these databases. As such, i don't think it is appropriate and necessary for me to make use of databases for my projects.
