It is very useful to know about a few good search engines and learn the tricks for searching these effectively. The following techniques will be helpful when finding information on the Web.
1. Choose good keywords and
phrases.
Brainstorming before you start searching will generate a good list of
keywords and phrases. Try to imagine what words the author of the web
page would use. Unless the word is usually capitalized, stick with lower-case
letters.
2. Be specific.
You can create more targeted searches if you use phrases. Most search
engines require that you put quotes around a phrase. Example "skateboard
park". Compare the results with typing in skateboard park without
the quotes.
3.
Try different search engines.
Search engines use sophisticated equations to calculate the number of
times your search terms appear on a page and show you the best first.
If the first 30 sites are not relevant, try a different search. If you
are not satisfied after a few searches, try a different search engine.
4.
Use advanced search techniques.
5. Browse a subject
list.
Choose a search engine that organizes pages by subject. Start with a
general category and choose increasingly more specific sub-categories.
6. Check to make sure that the information that you are getting from web sites is valid and correct. Use this site for 8 quick and easy ways to do this.
| Practice: do a search for a subject of your interest. Which search engine did you find the best? Does each search engine come up with the same results? You will use this practice in your final project. |