Look for and think of synonyms or realted terms. For example, instead of just searching for GLOBAL WARMING you could search for CLIMATE CHANGE.
Also, consider proper terms that are used in a professional atmosphere. For example, search for CAPITAL PUNISHMENT in addition to DEATH PENALTY.
Use Boolean Operators (AND, OR, NOT) to organize terms. For example, searching for school uniforms in Google results in more hits from retailers selling school uniforms than information on school uniforms. But, when searching for school policy AND uniforms more results are available that explore information about school uniforms.
Boolean Operators
These are used to help organize your search.
AND - Use to narrow your search.
For example, search polar regions AND climate change to find resources that explore BOTH topics.
OR - Use to expand your search.
For example, search capital punishment OR death penalty to find resource that explore EITHER topic.
NOT - Use (sparingly) to narrow your search.
For example, search Mexico NOT New to exclude resources on New Mexico.
Search Engine vs. Directory
A search engine will look for words within Web pages.
A directory has a human behind it who has determined the basic idea of a Web page. Then, the directory allows you to search for your topic in order to find Web pages ABOUT your topic.
Search Engines Infotopia - Academic search engine with links to sites that have been evaluated Google Ask Clusty
Search Terms
Look for and think of synonyms or realted terms.For example, instead of just searching for GLOBAL WARMING you could search for CLIMATE CHANGE.
Also, consider proper terms that are used in a professional atmosphere.
For example, search for CAPITAL PUNISHMENT in addition to DEATH PENALTY.
Use Boolean Operators (AND, OR, NOT) to organize terms.
For example, searching for school uniforms in Google results in more hits from retailers selling school uniforms than information on school uniforms. But, when searching for school policy AND uniforms more results are available that explore information about school uniforms.
Boolean Operators
These are used to help organize your search.AND - Use to narrow your search.
For example, search polar regions AND climate change to find resources that explore BOTH topics.
OR - Use to expand your search.
For example, search capital punishment OR death penalty to find resource that explore EITHER topic.
NOT - Use (sparingly) to narrow your search.
For example, search Mexico NOT New to exclude resources on New Mexico.
Search Engine vs. Directory
A search engine will look for words within Web pages.
A directory has a human behind it who has determined the basic idea of a Web page. Then, the directory allows you to search for your topic in order to find Web pages ABOUT your topic.
Search Engines
Infotopia - Academic search engine with links to sites that have been evaluated
Google
Ask
Clusty
Directories
ipl2: Information You Can Trust
Infomine