Searching for Information on the Web

When you are looking for information on the Web it can be a daunting task. First of all, you need to use a search engine. Too often you don't know how to ask the search engine to find the exact material you are looking for. Since the Web is based on no organized system, just networks of networks, and since each search engine works a little bit differently, it can be a real pain.

Some tips to shorten the task:

First: try a meta-search engine, which is a searcher that searches several search engines at once (got that?) and returns the top results from each.

My current favorite is Google's Advanced Search because it uses smarter software and seems to return sites that are right on the money--less junk and more of what I'm looking for. Be sure to explore all the boxes to see how you can add or eliminate information.

For an activity to quickly teach you how to get the most out of Google, go to Four Nets for Better Searching, from Bernie Dodge, the creator of the Webquest.

Once you are familiar with Google's Advanced Search, try following the brief tutorial on using a graduated pass approach.

For the widest ranging most detailed results, one of the deepest search engines is Altavista. Good results usually require using their advanced search and Boolean strategies (more on that below). Outstanding results can be gotten from Altavista, however, if you try a simple technique....type into the simple search box the word "title:" followed by your topic.
For instance you type

title:Barnstable

Click Search. Then scroll past the "sponsored"results (paid commercials) and you will quickly find school, county, town council, police and Barnstable Patriot pages, as well as the Barnstable Bat Company's Wooden bats.

Next: For more detailed instructions including information on using Boolean strategies go to Finding Information on the Internet: A Tutorial offered by the University of California, Berkeley, Library staff.