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A Search Engine creates a customized list of Internet sites containing information on a search topic by utilizing computer programs known as robots or spiders to search for your keywords on Web pages. Though most search engines use this technology they will produce different results according to how the robots work and the different types of search criteria allowed. For best results, search more than one search engine.

  

Search Engine listing

Some of the best general Search Engines are:

 Google  Google Scholar
 Google Scholar at University of Melbourne  HotBot
 AllTheWeb.com  MSN Search
 Anzwers  sensis.com.au
 Ask Jeeves  Web Wombat

Why use a Search Engine?

The table below highlights the key features of Search Engines -

* Best starting place when searching for specific information on the Web
  • Engines will index from 20 to 200 million web sites covering a wide range of subjects, file types and foreign language pages
  • Advanced search features allow searches to be refined in a number of ways to increase the success rate of finding relevant Web pages
* Advanced search features
  • Most search engines allow a range of search options which may include limiting a search by
    • date
    • domain / country
    • media type
    • fields
    • exact phrase
    • boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) or + and -
    • display
* Other features
  • Always check the help files associated with each engine to find out how often the engine is updated, searching tips, what types of pages are included (newsgroups, etc), etc.


How to use a Search Engine

Before you begin a search for information via one of the Search Engines, remember to:

  • List words that describe your topic
  • Read the help files for the engine to find out what search features are available - boolean, date, file type, country, etc.
  • Use the available search options to limit your search and improve the relevancy of sites returned
  • Adjust your search words and search techniques depending on the number of hits you receive
    • too many limit your search by adding additional keywords or search criteria
    • too few - expand your search using search criteria
  • Evaluate internet resources - quality & currency
  • Cite internet resources using appropriate style guides
  • Repeat your search using another 2 search engines to increase the chances of finding relevant sites on the Web
  • Remember the Web doesn't have everything and you may need to search for information on your topic using catalogues, databases or indexes

Additional information

Sites with further details about search engines
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