Search engines and directories are very useful for finding information to supplement other library resources. Knowing how to use them can save time and get reliable results. Following is a list of the most commonly used search engines or directories, when to use them, and tips for making your search more productive.
Also of interest:
Evaluating Web Sites page
Please Keep in Mind
: The way to search a search engine or directory and the way to search library catalogs (like ALCON) or online databases (like FirstSearch) are very different. Web authors and designers can use any keywords they want to get you into their site. Catalogs and databases have a controlled vocabulary, called subject headings, that help guide you with your search.
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Search Engine |
Use to Search For... |
Tips for Searching |
Examples |
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specific titles, geographic locations, images, other languages, audio/video/multimedia, proper names, date last modified |
Use quotation marks around phrases. Use - to exclude words/phrases. |
"solar energy" |
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Asking a specific question on almost any subject. |
Try to phrase question so that small words are not used often, such as a, an, the, of, in, to, etc., since these words are ignored. |
Is solar energy effecient? Where is solar energy used? Who uses solar energy most often? |
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Use to search several search engines at one time. |
Use quotes around phrases. |
"solar energy" |
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specific or obscure titles, other languages |
Use quotes around phrases. Use only to include small words (stop words), such as a, an, the, in, of, etc. Use - to exclude words/phrases. |
"solar energy" |
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specific titles, geographic location, images, other languages, audio/video/multimedia, proper names, date last modified |
Use in front of word to search only for that word. Use quotes around phrases. Use - to exclude words/phrases. |
"solar energy" |
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Use to search several search engines at one time. geographic location |
Use quotes around phrases. Use - to exclude words/phrases. |
"special education" |
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Sites about popular or broad subjects |
Use quotation marks for phrases. Use - to exclude words/phrases. |
"solar energy" |
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specific titles, images, proper names |
Use - to exclude words/phrases. |
"solar energy" |
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Can't Find Your Favorite Search Engine Listed Here??
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How to Choose a Search Engine or Directory - http://library.albany.edu/internet/choose.html - From the State University of New York at Albany Libraries. |
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Search Engines Quick Guide - http://www.infopeople.org/search/guide.html - From Infopeople. |
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Search Engine Features - http://www.searchengineshowdown.com/features/ - By Greg R. Notess, author of Government Information on the Internet. |
