Search Engines and Strategies

Search the Web:

Web Search

Other Search Engines:

More Internet Search Engines

Search Engines for Kids!

Internet Directories:

More Internet Subject Directories

How to choose a search engine or directory.

How to find information:

The Internet is an enormous network of computers linked to one another. Remote computers (or servers) store files of information. Client (or local) computers access or view the information. The client computer runs software, which enables the computer to view the information. When you log onto the Internet using Netscape or Internet Explorer (or another "browser"), you are using this software to view documents on the World Wide Web.

The browser reads or translates the HTML (Hypertext Markup Language-- the scripting language used to create web documents) and allows the viewer to "see" the document. Hypertext refers to the highlighted or underlined links that take you to other documents using URL's (Universal Resource Locators). URL's are the unique web addresses for each document on the Internet. The URL tells us where the document resides:

What's in a URL web address:

It is useful to understand the structure of the URL for a number of reasons. We can tell if a site's origin is commercial, educational, a government agency, or an organization. Frequently we can also tell in what country the site is located. Occasionally, we may follow a link to a document that is no longer accurate. The file or document we are looking for may still be residing on the site, but has just been moved to a different directory or been renamed. By starting at the end of the URL and deleting a section at a time, it is often easy to discover the new location of the document.

There are a variety of ways to search for information on the internet, and there are a number of resources on the web to guide you. 

Quick Tips

Where to start:

Plan your search

• Identify your concepts

• Make a list of keywords or phrases

Decide which search tool to use

• Use a subject directory when you want to research a broad topic

• Use a subject directory when you are looking for lists of sites pertaining to your topic

• Use a subject directory when you want lists recommended by experts

• Use a search engine when you are seeking a particular site

• Use a search engine when you want to research a narrow topic

• Use a search engine when you are looking for specific types of documents

Use proper language and searching conventions

• Check spelling

• Use quotation marks around phrases or proper names

• Search with Boolean logic using words such as: and, or, not, + to specify relationships among keywords

  • standards and language arts resources 

  • Franklin Roosevelt and Date of Infamy 

• Check the directions given for each search engine

Experiment with different search engines

Try alternative terms or key words

Try one of these web resources for more detailed searching information:

Recommended Search Strategy from UC Berkeley Library

Research Guides from University at Albany Libraries

Searching the Internet: Recommended Sites and Search Techniques from University at Albany Libraries

Hopefully, this information will make it easy for you to find the right search vehicle and technique to locate useful information for your research.

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Last modified on: 01/06/05

© New England College | Created on June 20, 2000 

Web Contact: Joel Black | Faculty Contact: Debra Nitschke-Shaw