Resources for Information Skills
Section contents page Introduction Choosing the right tool for the job Search engines When to use information gateways and specialist databases Google Access to the invisible web Google development How to get the best out of Google Why not always Google? Other search engines Meta-search engines Why use a directory? Overview Summary
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Choosing the right tool for the job

You may need to ask some questions to yourself, before you begin to look for information:

  • What type of information are you looking for?
  • Are you looking for background information or something specific?
  • Is the information likely to be accessed under public domain on the internet?
  • Is the information likely to be published in a database such as subject directories and information gateways?
  • Is that the only material available for you? Or is the material restricted with password and username to access
  • Does it require payment subscription, such as some commercial electronic journals

After having some idea about the type of information you require, then you may decide on the right tool for your search:

Type of tool Significance
Search Engine/Meta-Search Engine
  • Can scan multiple of search engines simultaneously
  • Can displays all Web pages that contains your key word(s)
  • Can narrow your search to find specific information
  • Need to evaluate quality of information retrieved
Information Gateway
  • Offers to browse and search high quality information
  • Good place to start if need background information
  • Broader and more useful collections of resources can be retrieved
Specialised databases
  • In-depth (academic) information
  • High quality information, often peer reviewed or refereed
  • Can narrow search to find specific information
  • May have their own search engine
NOTE:

The use of above tools can save great deal of time, but you should not rely on one of them exclusively.