Know the differences between search tools
How was the search site created: human indexed (i.e. Yahoo!) or through robot/spider software (i.e. Infoseek)? The range of websites indexed and the depth of the indexing of the sites depends on the way the index was created. Software indexed sites are much more comprehensive than those indexed by humans.
What has the database of website information indexed from the web page: brief information about the page (abstract, keywords, site name, address) or every word on the page? Knowing the depth of the indexing will help you decide on a search strategy and help you select a search tool that will result in more specific web pages.
What is the scope of the search site’s web indexing: the entire web or just certain types of sites (i.e. Alta Vista covers the globe; Ananzi searches for South African sites)? Do they include only sites that submitted information themselves or do they find sites independently? Search tools that take self-submitted sites generally don’t qualify those sites before putting them into the index, and as a consequence, may have sites of lower quality than search tools that seek and qualify sites before putting them into the index.
How often is the index/database updated and checked for “dead links”?
Tip: Get the background on search sites at Search Engine Watch: http://www.searchenginewatch.com
Think task first, then topic
What are you trying to do: find a person, find a fact, get some general background information? Being clear on the information task you are undertaking will help point you to the right tool to use.
Once you’ve determined what you need to do, define the topic words you’d use. Figure out the various ways a subject might be referenced and use those terms in your searching.
Know how the search tool can help create targeted searches
How does it allow for different relationships between search terms (AND, OR, NOT, Phrase)? Which one is the “default” relationship if you just type in some terms? Being clear about how the tool determines the relationship between search terms you’ve used will help you understand the search results and keep you from getting too many, or too few, results.
Can you search for words in particular fields (i.e. title or web address) or for websites from particular parts of the world? Knowing this can help you narrow down results to particular types of sites. For example, use the address field to look for government sites (.gov) or educational organization sites (.edu) or look for sites that have certain words in their title.
Does the search site have different levels of searching (look for “simple” and “advanced” search options). Usually the advanced search will let you create more complex, and targeted, search statements and help you narrow down your search results.
Search sites are like friends: It’s better to know a few really well than to have a passing acquaintance with many.
Tip: The first stop at any search site should be at its “help” page.
Use your logic
Before jumping to a general search site, think about where the information you need would likely exist. You might be better off guessing about a website name than using a search tool (if you are looking for earnings for Nabisco, go to www.nabisco.com and save a few steps).
Know some of the specialty indexes and sites to help find information (if you are looking for information likely to be on a state government site, use State and Local Government on the Net <www.piperinfo.com/state/states.html> and go right to the state agency).
Remember, the more time you spend thinking offline the less time you’ll spend wandering online.
Evaluate your sources
Search tools just get you to a site. Be sure you know how to evaluate it when you get there.
If credible, reliable sources are all you want to see, use a search site that evaluates websites before it puts them in the index.
Tip: If you need a refresher on information evaluation and website credibility checking, you’ll find references to lots of aids on the Bibliography on Evaluating Internet Resources http://refserver.lib.vt.edu/libinst/critTHINK.HTM
Know when to stop
When can you stop searching? When you’ve answered your question or fulfilled your information task. But that presumes you have a clear question and you keep it in mind.
Maintain your focus and don’t let netnosis take over
