Web Searching

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Organizing a Search

An unorganized search can be aggravating and time-consuming. The following suggestions will help organize your search.

• First, and most importantly, understand your search tools and which ones are most appropriate for the information for which you are searching. Know the capabilties of the search engine.

   

• What you're looking for will determine what search tools you use. So determine what information is being sought in advance of the search. Analyze your topic to determine what terms are best to search for and what tool features you'll need.

   

• When doing a keyword search, try to avoid commonly used terms or words. Otherwise, the search may return many irrelevant hits.

   

• Searching for obscure information may require more complex or advanced search techniques. Start simple and use less obscure terms if possible, narrowing the search as you progress.