Knowledge Master Help*

How Knowledge Master is Organized*

If you have already reviewed the Knowledge Master Basics, then you are ready to learn about how Knowledge Master is organized.

Three Levels of Information:

The first thing that you should understand about Knowledge Master's organization is that it contains three levels of information: 1) entry level; 2) additional information level; and 3) resource level.

1) Entry Level Information: This is the most basic level of information and is commonly referred to as "general pest knowledge." This is the type of information that you will find in the pest summaries for both insect and disease pathogen pests.

2) Additional Information Level: This level of information includes technical reports, field reports, recommendations, and other modules concerning crop and pest management. Since most people using Knowledge Master will seek to find information on how to manage a certain pest, this level is the next logical step up from the entry level information.

3) Resource Level: This level of information includes abstracts, reviews, and journal articles. People who want to read the original works from which the entry level and advanced level information was derived can use this level of information.

Fourteen Search Methods:

There are fourteen different search methods, or modules, that you can use to search for information. These search methods are found in the Knowledge Master Opening Menu. They include:

  1. Search By Crop
  2. Search By Pest Type
  3. Search By Scientific Name
  4. Urban Knowledge Master
  5. View Pictures
  6. Animal Science Information
  7. Crop Information
  8. Crop Production Guidelines
  9. Pest Management Guidelines
  10. CTAHR Status Report
  11. CES Resource Phone Directory
  12. Entomologist's Toolbox
  13. Experimental Trials
  14. Insect Lists.

How to Decide on the Best Search Method*

Before you can decide on which search method is best for you, you should review the ten search methods. If you have not done this, then click here. If you have, then you are ready to continue.

If you have reviewed the descriptions of the Ten Search Methods, you may already have an idea of which one is best for your needs. However, below is a list of the Ten Search Methods along with some statements. The statements are listed in order of importance under each Search Method. You can use these statements as a checklist for deciding the best Search Method for you.

Knowledge Master: How to Decide on the Best Search Method*

Search By Crop:

  1. You want to learn about a crop pest (insect or disease pathogen).
  2. You have a specific crop in mind.
  3. You may or may not know the pest type.
  4. You may or may not be able to identify the damage caused by the pest.
  5. You may or may not know the scientific name of the pest.

Search By Pest Type:

  1. You want to learn about a crop pest (insect or disease pathogen).
  2. You know the specific pest type (i.e., fungus, mealybug).
  3. You may or may not have a particular crop in mind.
  4. You may or may not be able to identify the type of damage the pest causes.
  5. You may or may not know the pest's scientific name.

Search By Scientific Name:

  1. You want to learn about a crop pest (insect or disease pathogen).
  2. You know the pest's scientific name.
  3. You may or may not have a particular crop in mind.
  4. You may or may not know the pest type (i.e., fungus, mealybug).
  5. You may or may not be able to identify the type of damage the pest causes.

Crop Information

  1. You want general crop information.
  2. You want cultivar information.
  3. You want environmental requirements for crops.

Animal Science Information:

  1. You want general information on animals.
  2. You want to learn about pests of animals.

Crop Production Guidelines:

  1. You want to learn about crop management in general.
  2. You want to learn about crop pests.

Pest Management Guidelines:

  1. You want pest management information.
  2. You want chemical phytotoxicity information.
  3. You want postharvest informattion.

CTAHR Status Reports:

  1. You want reports on information transfer and industry analysis.

CES Resource Phone Directory:

  1. You want Cooperative Extension Service office phone numbers.
  2. You want phone numbers of Cooperative Extension Service extension agents.
  3. You want phone numbers of Cooperative Extension Servive extension specialists.

Entomologist's Toolbox:

  1. You want insect identification keys.
  2. You want to find out about microscope slide mounting procedures.
  3. You want to know about quarantine regulations.

Experimental Trials:

  1. You want to know what types of experiments have been conducted on a particular crop and the results of those experiments.

Urban Knowledge Master:

  1. You want to learn about insects and other pests affecting the urban environment.

View Pictures:

  1. You want to see what pest graphics are available in Knowledge Master.

 

* This center is still under construction. Not all information is correct or completed.