Search Tips

Developing your Internet search skills will achieve better results, faster. Here are some tips:

• Define your search then decide on the most appropriate search tool. Remember that Search Engines are good when you're looking for specific pieces of information, such as names and phrases. However, for broad or less defined search terms use a Subject Gateway first. They provide a smaller result set and the web sites you find through a Gateway have usually been evaluated and described before inclusion.
• Make sure you understand the tool you are using and its limitations. Is it a search engine, directory or subject gateway?
• What are the specific techniques for that tool, to improve your search? Check any help pages for advanced searching options.
• Advanced searching often uses quotation marks (" ") for phrases, Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to link terms and word truncation (* or $).
• If you don’t find what you want with the first discovery tool you use, don't give up! Think about your search terms and key words, reformat your search or try your search on another discovery tool. Know when to stop but know when to try again, too.
• Get to know a few search tools really well, rather than using many of them poorly.