web searching

There are a wide variety of options to research topics on the Internet. To help you search efficiently, below are some tips about the different search services available such as directories and search engines.

  • Follow the individual search provider's instructions. Check for specific search tips and how to interpret your results in the provider's detailed description. If you aren't happy with your search results for a specific topic, it might be possible to fine tune your search through particular search methods suggested by providers.
  • Use Boolean operators. Familiarize yourself with universal search rules. Check out Purdue's website for the general search tips at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/internet/search/general.htm.
  • Be as specific with your keywords as possible. In general, it's true for all search providers that you get the best results if you type in words or phrases that are very specific for what you are hoping to find.
  • Try different search engines, directories, and meta search engines. If you aren't happy with the results of one specific provider, then launch a search with another provider. In general, it might also be helpful to try different search providers to see which one fulfills your search needs best.
  • Use directories. If you know what category your search term falls in, visit directories to get reliable resources. Directories usually have smaller databases than search engines, and are typically good resources because Web pages are filed in categories. Listings are denied if they don't fulfill certain criteria. Some of the most popular directories are about.com and yahoo.com.
  • Take advantage of meta search engines. Meta search engines allow for a more broad-reaching search because the user enters keywords or phrases then executes the search in more than one database at a time. For example, MetaCrawler searches multiples search engine databases at once including AltaVista, DirectHit, Excite, FindWhat, Google, GoTo.com, Kanoodle, and various others.

In general, visit http://www.com.edu/library/internet/search.htm to learn more about directories, search engines, and meta search engines.

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