Sixth Form Library

Choosing and Using Searching the Internet

Sixth Form Library updated March 2009

The Internet is made up of hundreds of millions of web sites - if you are looking for information on the Internet and don't already know which website to use a search tool is needed :-

Internet Search Engines are specialised websites that are designed to help people find information stored on other sites - these attempt to index as many websites as possible and delivery information to you once you have entred a search Keyword, term or phrase.
Another type of serach tool is a Subject Directory where websites have been selected and placed under subject and sub-subject headings.
The final type of search tool is a Meta Search Engine this searches other search tools to return results.

You can find search sites which combine the two.

Google is probably the most well known and used search engine and is the prefered search tool for the school.

Want to know more about Internet searching take a look at the following websites:

How Stuff Works - search engines
Search Engine Showdown - information about search engines
The Spiders Apprentice

Most search engines/subject directories contain information about how to search using that particular site.

For some basic information about how to use a search engine see the Search Engine booklet or take a look at Websearch at About.com which contains basic and more detailed information.

6th Form Library Home