Chicago only requires the accessed date in a citation if no publication date is listed for the source. While many of the Library's entries include a 'last updated' timestamp, some do not, and for these you should include your accessed date.
Search methods are strategies or techniques used to locate information within databases, digital libraries, or other information repositories. Common types include:
Keyword-based search: Retrieves results that exactly match the words or phrases entered by the user. Effective when users know specific terms or names.
Semantic search: Uses the meaning, context, and relationships between words to find relevant results, rather than relying solely on exact matches. Useful for natural language queries or broader topics.
Hybrid search: Combines keyword-based and semantic approaches to balance precision and relevance, often employed in modern library and AI-powered search systems.
AI-assisted / Conversational search: Allows users to ask questions in natural language, with an AI system interpreting intent, retrieving relevant information, and optionally generating synthesized or summarized answers. Often built on hybrid search technology.
These search methods are used across platforms, from traditional search engines to specialized library databases. Understanding the differences can help users formulate better queries and interpret results more effectively.
