There are several factors that will impact the type of information, the relevance of the information, and how much information you find - whether too much or too little. The videos and resources on this page provide tips on selecting the most appropriate searching language and successful search strategies appropriate for your sources and for the focus of your research. It is worth the time at the beginning stages of your research to build up a word bank of key words, concepts, and names related to your topic. Think about synonyms and related terms including short phrases for your topic and record them in a document or by using the Build a Word Bank for Search Terms worksheet attached on this page.
Not all Search Engines Are Equal
An article comparing two popular search engines - Google and DuckDuckGo - with pros and cons including different levels of privacy, speed, and accuracy.
Many articles from Google on how to do effective searches, including a form for doing Advanced Searches.
Summary of the Video
1. SEARCH ENGINES
See the Video or the "Tips & Tricks" sidebar opposite for links to lists and explanations of site operators.
2. ARTICLE DATABASES & LIBRARY CATALOGS