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Using the search tools

These are a few tips that I have found helpful in using information tools. I've used ixQuick to describe the techniques because it allows you to use all of them, but many are available with other search engines too.

  • String (phrase) search...a search for peanut butter sandwich might give millions of results. But a search for the phrase "peanut butter sandwich" (in quotes) finds many fewer matches, but often more precise results. Most search engines allow you to define your words as an exact phrase to focus results.

  • Boolean search...Boolean operators such as AND or NOT or + and - allow you to exclude or include additional search words or phrases. For example, a search for +"peanut butter sandwich" +jelly finds even fewer matches, which provides even better results

  • Search the page title...some search engines allow you to search for ONLY those sites with the key word or phrase in the title, e.g., a search for title:"peanut butter"

  • Search the URL (page address)...find pages whose web address includes a key search term, e.g., a search for url:peanutbutter

  • Save and reuse searches...when you search and get good results, search engines and directories often display a URL in your browser's Location, Address, or URL window which you can copy and reuse to re-create the search whenever you want. You should check to be sure that the URL will in fact reduplicate the search before saving it, but if it does you will be able to update your search results whenever you want.

    • You can't trust every 'fact' you find when you do research. Some resources are jokes, some are partisan 'editorial' claims, some are advertisements, some are mistakes, and some are deliberately wrong. How can you tell the difference? Here are some tutorials that will help you choose wisely

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    This page last updated July 28, 2007