Web Searching

Getting Started

Search engines search electronically whereas most search directories use human editors to exclude irrelevant sites and include beneficial ones.  Wikis invite contributors to write and edit articles mostly without authorship.  Understanding the pluses and minuses of each of these search tools will help you to determine when they are appropriate to use for particular high school research assignments.

Explore information in the Search Engines, Search Directories, and Wiki boxes and read the following tips. 

Tips For Using Search Engines:

• Search engines are best when searching for specific things such as “revolutionary war diaries” as opposed to the more general “war”

• Use specific academic terms such as “climate change”

• Use exact phrases such as “research on medical marijuana”

• Go to Advanced Search tools to refine searches

Tips For Using Search Directories:

• Read the annotations (summaries of sites written by directory editors) for your top results to see if you are on the right track

• Browse subject categories

• Keep search terms broad

• Check sites for search tips as all directories are organized differently

Tips for Using Wikis:

• Read about the wiki you are using to see how it is managed and organized.  For example, Wikipedia relies on a vast number of dedicated volunteers to correct articles that don’t meet its standard for content neutrality (no bias or limited points of view) and verifiability. 

• FOR ACADEMIC RESEARCH always verify facts presented on a wiki with credible sources such as books. 

• Always check with your teacher to see if wikis are acceptable.  Most teachers will require credible verifiable sources for academic research.