Jen Myers

SLM 521

 

Helpful Search Tips

 

Type in lower case letters

·        This will allow the search engine to find items that start with both upper and lower case letters.

·       EXAMPLE:   tips

          kites

                                new york

 

 

Use the + symbol between words

·        This allows you to find all of the words you entered and not just one of them. It helps reduce the information if you receive an overwhelming amount.

·        EXAMPLE:   yosemite +camping

yosemite +camping +reservations

(No spaces between + and next word)

·        Add more +’s to make your search more specific

 

 

 

Use the symbol between words

·        This allows you to take words out of your search.

·        It keeps you from being bombarded with extra information

·        EXAMPLE:   clinton –lewinsky

star trek –voyager -deep

(No spaces between - and next word)

·        Add more –‘s to make your search more specific

 

 

Use quotes

·        This makes sure that only pages that have the words in that exact order will be found.

·        EXAMPLE:   “s club 7”

“william penn”

·        You can use this strategy with the + and – sign to create a more specific search.

    

 

 

Use OR

·        Use OR when you are not quite sure of which word to use in your search.

·        EXAMPLE: cars or automobile

 

 

 

 

Use a * symbol

·        This allows for various spellings of the word.

·        EXAMPLE: farm*            finds:  farm, farmer, farming

        Computer*     finds:  computer, computers

 

 

 

 

Use the HELP or SEARCH TIPS sections

·        This will allow you to find out exactly how your search engine works and which tips work best with your search engine.

 

 

 

 

v     If you are unable to find the results you are looking for in the search engine you are using, choose another search engine and try searching there.