Complexity and Social Networks Blog

Answers to questions:

1. What is the best search engine? What is cheaper? When can you have it done?
2. I always search with the web or Google.
3. No, I am a creature of habit?

I have found most people are using the web for services over traditional resources.

1. not possible to generalize
2. Web based search engine
3. Most questions can be answered by search queries on Google, Ask and the like. When it comes to information or recommendations to people who know someone or work in an organization of interest I contact them first via email or the phone.

I've actually been paying attention to my search patterns over the past week to see if I could detect any patterns--thanks for the inspiration to auto-experiment. Three trends:

1) Firefox search plugins such as ResearchWord allow me to integrate very rapid searches into my normal web behavior. By simply selecting a word and right-clicking into the context-menu, I can quickly check google or wikipedia to learn just a little about something that may not be crucial, just helpful. Examples: peeking at the CV of a cited author to get a little context, quickly remembering how close St. Petersburg is to finland.

2) Starting a lit review. I try to actually ignore my existing references when I want to make sure that I have a good picture of the field, so it is an iterative process of breadth-first and depth-first searching from a seed of keywords. Usually in one of the online journal databases, I will fill a dozen tabs with potential articles, then drill down through them by chasing citations and citing articles, then back to a breadth first search. Browser management is key, since taking detailed notes as I go impedes that actual search. I like to leave the papers open until I have dismissed them--firefox's autorecovery is key when it crashes after having 30 pdfs open.

3) Remembering methods--to get a refresher on a tool that I have used before but can't remember the equation/command/theory behind, I will use google but look for powerpoints. These invariably turn up teaching slides that kind faculty have posted for the world to see.

I work for a search marketing firm, so search is definitely near and dear to my heart. I'd really like to see the findings. In answer to your questions; 1. What are the three types of questions that come up most frequently on your job?

Answers -
a) I need a background on potential employees ... what can I learn about them on the web
b) I need to find a better way of doing something to improve efficiencies ... what are others doing?
c) I need to understand other people's opinions about why certain events have occured.

2. How do you generally start off your search for information on these questions (in terms of source and medium)? Answer - definitely Google, although Wikipedia is often a destination too. I start with very specific searches, and refine as necessary.

3. Does your search behavior vary according to the type of questions you have? How and why? Answer - Absolutely. There are too many search results for vague queries, and I need to make sure I find whatever information is out there about the subject I'm researching. I have to be flexible, creative sometimes, and very adaptable.

To add to the list of Firefox add ons (quite) useful for research:

http://www.hyperwords.net

http://www.altablog.com/

1. What are the three types of questions that come up most frequently on your job?

Only one type comes up frequently...What background information can we find on this person?

2. How do you generally start off your search for information on these questions (in terms of source and medium)?

Google the name of the person.

3. Does your search behavior vary according to the type of questions you have? How and why?

If I can't find sufficient info using Google, I resort to plan B, which is other search engines, and offline methods.