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To get the most from the Internet or the World Wide Web, it is important to use a range of tools and techniques.
On this page you will find links to:
Search Engines
Always investigate 'help' pages in the different search engines and use the available syntax and operational parameters to assist searching. Be prepared to dig to get the information you require and to think outside the square.
Tutorials
Get the best from your searches by examining the following tutorials. They cover beginner, intermediate and advanced users.
Learn to use the Internet - Beginners
Bare Bones 101: A Basic Tutorial on Searching the Web
This is a very good introduction to searching the web. It provides a lot of basic information and good tips and is produced by the Beaufort Library at the University of South Carolina.
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Intermediate to Advanced Internet Searching
Finding information on the Internet: a tutorial
An excellent site that presents the substance of the Internet workshops offered by the teaching Library at the University of California at Berkeley. Recently updated to reflect the latest trends.
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Evaluation
Now that you know how to search effectively, how do you know whether the information you have found is a quality resource? Look at the pages below for some great pointers on evaluating online resources.
Information about Evaluating Web Pages and Resources
Evaluating information on the Internet
This site from Johns Hopkins University discusses the criteria by which scholars in most fields evaluate print information, and shows how to use it to assess information found on the Internet.
Evaluating Web Sites: criteria and tools
From Cornell University this site provides good information on evaluation as well as a number of links to other sites and references for further reading.
Evaluating Web Sites - overview of key ideas
From Ohio State University Libraries. This site is a hyperlinked online tutorial with links to example sites and a handy checklist.
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Directories
Using a directory is a great way to start investigating a subject. They are organised by people with an interest in providing quality resources and will help you to develop a search strategies.
Directories with an Academic Focus
BUBL
Uses the Dewey Decimal classification system as the primary organisation structure for its catalogue of Internet resources.
Infomine
A virtual library of Internet resources relevant to faculty, students, and research staff at the university level. It contains useful Internet resources such as databases, electronic journals, electronic books, bulletin boards, mailing lists, online library card catalogs, articles, directories of researchers, and many other types of information.
Librarian's Index to the Internet
Librarians' Index to the Internet provides a well organised point of access for reliable, trustworthy, librarian selected Internet resources.
General Directories
Open Directory
The largest, most comprehensive human edited directory of the Web. It is constructed and maintained by a vast, global community of volunteer editors.
Galaxy
Their mission is to provide contextually relevant information by integrating state of the art technology with the human touch. As part of this process adult content, hate sites, and sites with little or no content of value are eliminated.
Yahoo Directory
Very large, but contains some paid listings.
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Subject Gateways and Pathways
Subject gateways and pathways are lists of directories, indexes and databases that you can use to find specific resources about a subject area.
National Library of Australia: indexes and databases
Find services that index journals, or newspapers, or contain full text including many that are free to access. Go to the 'About' page to get tips on searching.
National Library of Australia: search engines and directories
A list of search engines and databases, many of them available free to use from your computer.
Pinakes
A fabulous resource that provides access to Internet resources, by linking to the major subject gateways.
Academic Info: Reference Desk
A good range of resources including dictionaries, encyclopaedias and 'Quick Info'
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Major Library Sites
Libraries have been collecting and organising information for hundreds of years to ensure information is easily accessible in a clear and consistent manner. They are a great place to find the correct name of a subject to clarify a search strategy.
National Library of Australia
State Library of Victoria
British Library
Library of Congress
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