How will an algorithm handle search terms you enter? For example, will it correct for spelling? Will it supply variations, like family or families? Will it search for synonyms like domestic? How does it handle abbreviations like ACA? Does it broaden too much or too little?
Possible issues with search terms:
- spelling
- ex: attorney fees, attorneys fees, attorney's fees, attorneys' fees
- jurisdiction specific (ex: DWI vs. DUI)
- politicized: resources may intentionally use or avoid certain phrases for political reasons
- ex: illegal immigrant, undocumented immigrant
- ex: abortion, pro-choice, pro-life, anti-choice, anti-abortion
- too old:
- ex: primary sources that haven't been updated because political process to do so is so difficult/logistically a low priority
- ex: removing "moron" from USC
- too new: object at hand is too new to have settled terminology
- self-driving/en cars (SDC) or automobiles
- driverless car or automobile or motor vehicles
- autonomous vehicles (AV)
- automated motor vehicles
- inconsistency or synonyms (ex: domestic violence/family violence/IPV/abuse)
- technical vs. lay usage (ex: "limited satellite election offices apart from HQ" vs. ballot "drop boxes")
- contested algorithm (ex: abortion search leads to CPCs)
