Web Searching Tips and Techniques

Directories vs. Search Engines

Directories:

• Categorized by webmasters or directory staff. Sometimes staff are subject experts; sometimes not.
  
  
• Best for browsing purposes but can be searched.
  
  
• Require significant human effort to develop and maintain.
  
  
• Examples of popular directories include Yahoo and Librarians Index.
  
  
• Examples of subject-specific directories include MedWeb from Emory University.
  
  
• The value of directories: 1. limited peer review and 2. serendipitous discovery while browsing through categories.

Search Engines:

• Automated programs, called robots, spiders, worms, etc. search and index web sites.
  
  
• Some index words in the title, URL, introductory paragraphs, or full-text of all documents on a web site. Some use a combination of these words and phrases, all of which are entered into the search engine's database.
  
  
• The "spiders" search in different ways - and different parts of the Internet. The same search with different engines will yield different results.
  
  
• Examples of popular search engines include Google, Ask, and AllTheWeb.
  
  
• The value of search engines: 1. BIG! and 2. full-text searching.

Need Help? Please email: Biomedical Libraries Reference
or call 650-1660/7660 for assistance