Advanced Internet Searching

achieving results with internet search tools

Internet searches do not always provide the results we want.  Sometimes they retrieve too much or too little information, and the results are not always relevant.  This guide offers some tips for overcoming these problems.

The following search techniques are from the AltaVista and Raging search engines.  If you wish to use these techniques with other search engines, check the Help Menu first to ensure that they are applicable. 

AND
For adding words to the search For reducing the number of results	EXAMPLE education and adult and vocational and warrnambool

 

OR
For adding alternative terms or synonyms to the search For increasing the number of results	EXAMPLES fishing or angling organisation or organization illness or sickness UN or united nations education and adult and vocational and (warrnambool or hamilton)

 

PHRASE SEARCH
For finding groups of words that appear together Especially useful when searching for personal names and titles Place the phrase in quote marks - single words should not be placed in quotes	EXAMPLES "bart simpson" "gone with the wind" "pride and prejudice" and  (tv or television) "grand prix" and melbourne

 

TITLE SEARCH
For finding pages with the specified word/s in the title	EXAMPLES title:"bed and breakfast" title:"bed and breakfast" and  title:victoria title:denmark and cheese

 

FAQ SEARCH
For finding lists of "frequently asked questions" on a chosen subject	EXAMPLES title:nutrition and title:"frequently  asked questions" title:wine and title:faq

 

IMAGE SEARCH
For finding images	EXAMPLES image:"john goodman" image:mountain

 

URL SEARCH
For finding pages with a specific word in the URL	EXAMPLE url:deakin

 

AND NOT SEARCH
For eliminating unwanted words and phrases from the search results	EXAMPLE title:darwin and url:au and not scientist

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INTERNET SEARCH TOOLS

Learn about the factors that make one search tool different from another, and choose from the list of search engines, subject guides, meta search tools, and specialist engines. 

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EVALUATING INFORMATION

Learn how to check that the information you are using is accurate, reliable, credible, up-to-date and unbiased.

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REFERENCES & BIBLIOGRAPHIES

Learn how to cite reference sources and prepare bibliographies.

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