Research.gif RESEARCH IN EDUCATION: BASIC OUTLINE
Prepared by Kathryn Reynolds
Education & Human Services Librarian

INTERNET SEARCHING

  1. Beginners:
    Try a subject guide to the Internet like Yahoo (http://www.yahoo.com) or About.com (http://www.about.com/) which allows you to browse through lists of relevant information. In Yahoo, select a category like "Education"; under that you'll see even more specific choices. Other relevant categories in Yahoo include "Computers & Internet", "Health", "Recreation & Sports", "Reference", "Social Science", and "Society & Culture". Other selective directory/index type resources include LookSmart (http://www.looksmart.com) and Magellan (http://magellan.excite.com/).

  2. Experienced Searchers:
    Use Internet search engines to find your concept or key words. Take advantage of Help screens and Advanced Searching features whenever you have a more complicated or difficult search. Remember, you will usually find the most relevant information within the first few screens of results in your searches. Some search engines even rank or assign numerical ratings to the most relevant information retrieved.

    1. Single Search Engines/Indexes/Directories
      To make the Internet easier for users to navigate, developers created meta-indexes and search engines to pull up words or lists of documents. Searches on these tools vary depending on their speed, simplicity, efficiency, and access to information. Some of the most popular search engines and indexes include:

    2. Multiple Search Engines
      To search more than one search engine/index simultaneously, try one of the following:

  3. When You Have a URL (Universal Resource Locator or Internet address):
    Just click on the File and then Open Page buttons at the top left corner of the screen, type in your URL exactly as it is written and press Enter. Or, delete the address in the Netsite or Location line at the top of the page, type in your own URL, and press Enter. Pay special attention to case, spacing, & punctuation.

  4. Internet Search Tools
    This is Wright State University Libraries' Internet Page on the Libraries' web site. It includes information about links to search engines, Internet subject guides, meta searchers, evaluation sevices, Internet portals, instruction guides, and tutorials.


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