The Internet's abundant information
and growth-rate require effective search strategies to filter, target and evaluate
online resources. The following guidelines can help you locate and evaluate
specific information on the Internet.
1. Carefully Formulate Your Search Phrase: or what words you enter Before You Begin. Enter your first search phrase, at first be as specific as you can, you can always broaden your search later.
Generally, adding terms to a search
phrase reduces the hits returned by a search engine. Searching on "Dam" will
yield more hits than using "Grand Canyon Dam."
2. Connecting Words -
Use operators such as And, or, Not to connect terms, - Each
search engine will be different, so learn your favorite search engines help
screens.
3. Select the Appropriate
Search Engine(s) - Each search engine is different, some are strong
in particular types of information and weaker in others.
4. Working with the Search
Results
"Error 404
Not Found" (document not found) The resource may have
been renamed or relocated or simply no longer exists.
What if no documents were found?
| Check the spelling. |
| The terms may be too narrow. |
| The search may have been case-sensitive ("SPORTS" may not be the same as "sports). |
| Were there better terms which could have been used? |
| Check the operator positional(s). |
| Was the best search engine used? |
What if too many documents were returned?
| Narrow the search phrase by adding terms or choosing better words. |
| Who is the author or contact person responsible for the resource and what are his/her qualifications? |
| Is there a link to the local home page? Is this a publication or resource from a major institution? Does the institution appear to filter the information published under its name? Does the author's affiliation with this particular institution seem to bias the information? |
| What are the goals or aims of the persons or groups presenting the material? Does the information inform, explain or persuade? Who is the target audience? |
| How current is the information? What is the date of creation or revision? |
7. Citing
Internet Addresses - Try one of the updated online guides, such as
| MLA http://www.mla.org/set_stl.htm or APA www.beadsland.com/weapas/ |