Web Searching Tips and Techniques

Some strategies we find useful:

• Learn 2 engines well. Bookmark your favorites. Resist the urge to use one engine exclusively.
• For comprehensive or obscure searches, use them all - and consider the Meta-Search engines that simultaneously search multiple search engine databases.
• Read (and print out) help screens and FAQs.
• Use the most specific terms possible - and combine them with and (+),or,not (-). Put quotation marks (" ") around words you wish to search as a phrase.
• Take advantage of advanced searching features.
• Consider subject-specific alternatives.
• Remember this is a moving target, with daily changes, mergers, etc. Be flexible!!

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