Finding Web Resources
Search Tips
There are a number of search techniques that can be used to reduce the number of results from a web search. The two listed below are used on most search engines to get better results faster. See the link provided to get a list of more search tips.
Phrase searching
This is a technique used to limit your search results by making the search engine find the words in the order that you enter them in the search box. Phrase searching is done by using double quotes around the search phrase. Search engines look for the words that are typed in the search box and match those words found on the web pages collected by that search engine. This reduces the number of results received but also makes the results more relevant.
Phrase search examples:
- "for more relevant results use quotes around a phrase"
- "computers in the classroom"
- "higher education"
Title Searching
Search engines search the words on collected web pages. Relevant results will vary based on where the words or word appear on the web page. Therefore, title searching is a very effective search tip as it will only search the words used in the title of the web page. For the most part, titles describe the content of web pages.
Title Search Examples:
- title:"computers in the classroom"
- title:"higher education"
Note: Google uses allintitle:"computers in the classroom". More search tips for many search engines
Search Engines
General Search Engines
These are used to find information on the Internet regarding any topic imaginable. Without using specific search techniques, the results from general topic searching can be overwhelming. Listed below are a few examples. For a larger list go to our search engines web site.
- Search with Google | about Google | search tips
- Search with Yahoo | about Yahoo | search tips
- Search with Ask | about Ask | search tips
Subject Specific Search Engines
These search engines are very useful for conducting subject focused Internet searches. Results will be reduced because searches are limited to only web sties that meet the subject critera of the search engine.
Listed below are a few examples. Please go to our search engines web site for a much larger list.
- Search with Google Uncle Sam | search tips
- Search with ThinkFinity (for Educators) | about ThinkFinity | search tips
- Search with FindLaw | about FindLaw
Web Sites by Subject
Another option to use when searching for a reputable web resource is to use a subject list. Many search engines offer web sites listed by subject. The advantage to using a web sites subject list is that the sites have been evaluated for content and reliablity. Zahnow Library has put together a subject web site list based on information needs of SVSU students, faculty, and staff. Visit our Websites by Subject list and also browse the examples below.
Evaluating Web Resources
It is very important to always evaluate a web site to determine its relability. There are a number of things to look for when trying to determine if a web site is credible. See the list below of things to look for on a web site as well as the sites given to get more detail on web resource evaluation.
- Does the Web Site have an author/s ? can you contact that author/s?
- Does the Web Site have a title, publication/revision date?
- Are there references included? where is the author/s information coming from? opinion vs. fact?
- What does the domain ending in the url indicate? .edu, .gov, .com, .org (education,government, etc)
More on web resource evaluation:
- Evaluating Web Pages
- Evaluating Web Sites (Zahnow Library pdf handout)