An extract from Niall Ó Dochartaigh, The Internet Research Handbook: A Practical Guide for Students and Researchers in the Social Sciences (2002).

Dave Haupt explains the basics of web searching: the difference between a directory and a search engine, and how to use Boolean expressions.

Answers to frequently asked questions on the alt.internet.search-engines Usenet newsgroup.

Scott Nicholson helps you choose the most appropriate search engine for your needs, then shows you how to use it.

Practical steps to improve the quality of your Internet search results.

Tips on how to search and links to many search sites from Stan Rockwell.

The University of California Berkeley recommends search strategies, explains search tools, and gives guidance on evaluating and citing web pages. Includes a glossary and tables comparing search tools.

Fravia describes the nature of the web, and offers advanced searching strategies and techniques, including designing your own searchbots.

Curt Franklin's article explains in detail how search engines work. It includes a diagram of the indexing process.

Learn how to conduct your own people search and background checks.

How to find information on the Internet and beyond. Covers theory in great detail.

Charles Harris explains how to find information, people, and pictures on the Net and gives hints on evaluating the reliability of Web-based sources.

Interactive tutorials from The Ohio State University Libraries to help you search the Web effectively, evaluate information and incorporate it into research projects.

A suite of interactive tools designed to aid students and professionals with their online research, from selecting a search engine and finding some relevant sources, to citing those sources.

Introduces various resources for Web searching from Ric Shreves.

Collection of search resources and tips for college students from Oakton Community College, including Boolean searches, copyright and citing sources.

Summary of indexing techniques and drawbacks of various search engines and how to perform effective searches tips.

A comprehensive guide to search engine terminology from Pandecta Magazine.

A multi-lingual glossary of search engine terms as suggested by members of the I-Search Digest.

Outlines the history, functioning, features and types of search engines. Includes resources, news and search tips for web users.

Mark Wennning describes how to use search engines, directories and newsgroups, covering simple and advanced techniques. Includes a search engine control features chart.

A tutorial from Ross Tyner of the University of Calgary on Web searching tools and techniques, with links to search engines and details of their features.

Tips on smarter web surfing from a Columbia University journalism professor and WABC-TV's technology reporter Sreenath Sreenivasan.

Explores Internet search theory, the work of David Novak, a researcher bridging library science to computer science. Covers search strategy, new techniques and choreography.

Part of an online guidebook from the State of Victoria Department of Education and Training. Includes all stages of planning, executing and evaluating a search.

Gwen Harris explains web searching, strategies and tools from a Canadian perspective. Includes also Internet Explorer (5.0-5.5) basics, e-mail communication, and discussion groups.

Debbie Flanagan's interactive tutorial on using search engines, subject directories, and specific databases to find information on the Internet fast and effectively.

The Internet Public Library advises on which search engine to choose and how best to use them.