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Internet Searching Tips Keywords – Before going online write down some keywords about the topic that you are researching. Although most search tools support the use of Boolean logic terms AND(+), OR, and NOT(-), to refine your search, they don’t always treat them the same. However, many search tools support the use of “quotation marks” around an exact phrase or group of words. This will narrow your results and will save time. Once you find the type of information you were looking for, check the source. Look for information from official sites of recognizable institutions, like colleges and universities, well-known companies and businesses, official government resources, etc. to help avoid inaccurate or false information. Search Engine Examples: Google – www.google.comAltaVista – www.altavista.com Search Directory Examples: HotBot – www.hotbot.comYahoo – www.yahoo.com Natural Language/Question-Answer Search Tool Ask Jeeves - http://www.askjeeves.com/Kid/Student-Friendly Search Tool Examples: Ask Jeeves for Kids – www.ajkids.comYahooligans – www.yahooligans.com Eduhound – www.eduhound.com KidsClick - www.kidsclick.org FIVE QUICK TIPS For Better Internet Searching 1. Use “Indexing” engines for specific terms and “Directories” for general or popular information. 2. Use precise keywords - such as “Call of the Wild”, instead of Dog Books. 3. Put exact phrases or multi-word searches in quotation marks. 4. Use “operators” (AND, OR, NOT, +, and -) or a Search Tool’s “Advanced Search” features…to focus (narrow) the results. 5. Check the source of the information. Is it from an authoritative reputable source… where the information is more likely to be accurate.
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