| Internet
To find information, try the following search techniques at search engines.
A search engine
searches documents by keywords and returns a list for linking
to the documents. Four search engines are Google,
Alltheweb,
Yahoo
and Altavista.
Notice that the advanced search tool allows choices for language,
domain, etc. If you choose to use the basic search tool, i.e.
Google,
you may want to use the + sign, quotes, or an asterisk with your
keywords to refine or broaden a search:
+"Englis*"
+careers
Different engines have different techniques so it is best to
click on "Help" for detailed search instructions for
the engine you use. Try typing in "English"
+clearinghouse to retrieve a list of Internet sites that link
to many other sites. Internet terms that are interchangable with
"clearinghouse" are "gateway," "metasite,"
"pathfinder" and "directory," i.e. "English"
+metasite -domain:net (the - sign attempts to eliminate the
domain .net for this sample). Some search engines limit searches
to specific Internet domains: "English
literature" +domain:edu Valuable information may also
be obtained from the deep web content of PDF files, i.e. "writing
across the curriculum" +filetype:pdf or PowerPoint files,
i.e. "Old
English " +filetype:ppt (Adobe Acrobat and PowerPoint
software must be installed on your computer to view these type
files.) If one search engine does not retrieve satisfactory results,
switch to another search engine. Whatever data you find, it is
always wise to
evaluate information. Also, remember to cite
the information to foster academic honesty and to avoid plagarism.
If you need additional or personalized assistance, help is on
the way by clicking the Ask-a-Librarian
link.
Listed below are miscellaneous search strategies that you may
tailor to the search instructions of the engine you use.
Need acceptance speech of William Faulkner, American
novelist, when he received prestigious Nobel Prize:
+"William Faulkner " +"nobel prize " +speech
Need bibliography on writing reviews: +"review writing"
+bibliography
Want to limit hits for "poetry" to educational institutions:
+"poetry" +domain:edu
Need to read the poem entitled "Celebrate Life:"
+"celebrate life " +poem
Need an online language conversion dictionary for Spanish: +language
dictionary +"Spanish"
Need to find a picture, video or audio? Use Altavista search engine's
Search screen and click choice at top
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