Download Insurance and Risk Management Internet Searches

Insurance and Risk Management
Internet Searches
• Overall Objective:
– On completion of the three course modules,
you should be able to obtain and evaluate
insurance and risk management information
more effectively and efficiently through the
Internet.
Course Modules
• Module 1: Internet Searches for Risk
Management and Insurance Information
• Module 2: Advanced Search Techniques
• Module 3: Searching IRMI-Online
Why Take This Course?
Module One
Internet Searches for Risk
Management and Insurance Information
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Why online information sources?
Types of information available on the Web
Basic terminology
Basic search tools
Basic Google search
Refining the basic search; searching within results
Myths
Noteworthy Web sites
Why Use Online Sources?
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You need information fast
You need extremely current information
You need dynamic information
More convenient than printed resources
Other reasons?
Types of Information
Available on the Web
• Static
– Rarely or never changes
• Online textbook
• Dynamic
– Content constantly changing
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Ebay (Internet auction)
News
Weather
Airline schedules
Search results
• Frequently updated
– Online reference material (e.g. IRMI-Online)
Basic Terminology
• Browser: Software that allows access to
the Internet or World-Wide Web
– Internet Explorer
– Firefox
Basic Terminology
• URL: Uniform Resource Locator
– The address where information resides
– Example: http://www.irmi.com
• http: Hypertext Transfer Protocol
– identifies the type of information transfer
• www: World Wide Web
• irmi: Top-level domain name
– identifies the owner of the site (e.g.,
International Risk Management Institute)
Basic Terminology
• Example: http://www.irmi.com
• Common Top-Level Domains:
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.com
.edu
.org
.gov
commercial
U.S. educational
noncommercial/non-profit
U.S. governmental (federal and other)
• State or Country Domains
– .uk
United Kingdom
– .ca
Canada
– .ca.us California, United States
Basic Terminology
• Hyperlink
– Example: www.irmi.com
– Clicking on the highlighted link opens the
associated Web page
– Often in color, underscored, or a “button”
– Cursor changes to hand icon www.irmi.com
Hyperlink Examples
Types of Search Tools
• Search Engines (e.g. Google)
• Directory (e.g. Google directory)
• Query (e.g. ask.com)
Search Engine
Directory Approach
Directory Links
Query Approach
A Basic Google Search
A basic Google Search:
• Go to www.google.com (type the address here, then
<enter>)
• Type search word or phrase here
• Click on Google Search button, or <enter>
Refining the Basic Search
Google Search Results:
Page Titles
Google Search Results:
Excerpt from Result Page
Query Terms in Bold Face
Google Search Results:
URL of Search Result
Google Search Results:
URL and Size of Search Result
Google Search Results:
Cached, Similar Pages
Google Search Results:
Number of Hits
Search Tips
• Use quotation marks for phrases
– Search [ “mobile equipment” ]
or [ “mobile equipment” insurance ]
or (better) [ insurance “mobile equipment” ]
– NOT [ mobile equipment ]
• Start narrow: enter 6 to 8 keywords or
phrases, then eliminate some if you don’t
get enough hits.
Search Tips (continued)
• Size doesn’t matter.
– Most search engines are case insensitive.
• Use nouns or objects.
– Conjunctions (and, or), modifiers (adjectives,
adverbs), and verbs are often ignored or
useless.
• Always place main or unique subject first
(insurance).
Narrowing the Search
Searching Within Results
• Use “Edit/Find” for .html documents.
• Use Reader’s “Search” for .pdf
documents.
• Use Web site’s “Search” function to find
information within a Web site.
• Use Site map to find information within a
Web site.
Using Browser’s Edit/Find
Reader (PDF) Search Function
Use Web Site’s Search Function
Use Site Map
Typical Site Map
Internet Myths
• Everything is on the Internet.
• Everything on the Internet is available free.
• Search engines find everything on the
Internet.
• Search engines produce unbiased results.
Insurance/Risk Management
Search Engine: askrims.org
Specialized Directory:
www.UltimateInsuranceLinks.com
Preview of Modules 2 and 3
• Module 2: Advanced Search Techniques
• Module 3: Searching IRMI-Online