Breadcrumb Links:

Websites

The web can be a useful place for locating some sources of information, provided you know how to develop effective search strategies and evaluate the websites you intend using. There is a range of online tutorials which can help you to develop the skills required, including:

Intute Virtual Training Suite - over 60 tutorials focussing on specific areas, e.g. biosciences, education, performing arts

Bare Bones 101: A basic tutorial on searching the web

Finding Information on the Internet: A Tutorial

Some tips for successful searching:

  • Use appropriate search strategies (check the 'Help' tips in the search engine you are using; UC Berkeley's Recommended Search Engines also provides a useful overview).

  • Use the 'Advanced Search' screen to access a wider range of search options. 

  • Check any LibGuides relevant to your area of study - they may include suggested websites.

  • Carefully evaluate a website before you use it to ensure the quality of the information provided. There is a range of guidelines available for evaluating websites.

Remember:

  • A single search engine can only search a small portion of what exists on the Web, and search results vary enormously between different search engines.

  • Most search engines are unable to access the 'invisible Web'.

  • It is possible for websites to influence their ranking so that they appear higher up a list of results.

  • Large numbers of results usually make it very difficult to identify the most relevant information, and do not mean a search has been successful.

  • Searching the Web for journal articles may be ineffective, because many of the references (citations) provided will neither include full text, nor link to these articles when available in full text in CQUniversity Library databases.