logo Searching the Internet Effectively:

Search strategy practical work...



Try these queries (or others that you have) on the Internet. Evaluate your strategies, and think about alternative strategies (avoid the "bung it into Google" syndrome) - did you find ALL the relevant material? What features of the searches lead to "false drops"? Use a variety of the types of search tools (search engines, directories, resource guides) listed in this course - what differences do you see in your results?
  1. Information on how cockpit voice recorders work
  2. Find a site where children can ask a cat questions about how the universe works
  3. Information the most recent earthquake in New Zealand
  4. What does RACTER do, and can you find something produced by it?
  5. Biographical details for John Major, the Canadian Supreme Court judge (NOT the other one!)
  6. Information for a teenage child with a knee problem which the doctor said was "Oswald Slatter's disease" or something like that.
  7. Find the text of "Frankenstein". What formats is it available in?
  8. Find information about the best palmtop computer (or other consumer item of your choice) to buy.
  9. Conversion rate for Paraguayan currency to NZ dollars.
  10. Words of the Indian national song.
Introduction Preparation Tools Directories Search Engines Strategies Practical exercises

Last updated 2 April 2004 by Alastair Smith