■ When beginning your research, use the meta engine first.
■ Learn each engine’s advanced features—you’ll find things
faster and easier.
■ Print out the FAQ pages for each search engine and create
your own manual.
■ Choose three search engines with different strengths to
maximize your search abilities.
■ Consider using a specialized search engine, such as Beaucoup,
if you are unable to find what you want or have found too
much information.
■ Learn Boolean searches.There’s no room in this book to list even a smattering of pertinent
Internet sites. Wherever you go online, just remember:
■ Some of the sites are informative and well-organized; some
are quirky and skimpy.
■ Some are well-researched and trustworthy; some are the
rantings of a mad person. Just because something is on your
computer screen doesn’t mean it’s true.
■ Some provide unbiased information with no ulterior motive;
some slant their information to sell you on their cause.
Some are offering information just to entice you to buy
something.
■ Some are easy to use; some require you to search through
listings to find what you need.
■ Some supply information; some link you to other sites; some
are simply listings of sites.
■ Some may be gone when you look for them again.
■ Some are free; some cost a bit...some cost a lot. Be sure to
check out the cost before using a site where you have to pay.Chapter 6 ■How to Conduct Your Research 131