Effective Research Strategies for the Internet

Abstract

The latest research estimates there are over 1 billion ‘pages’ on the Web and their indexing and the tools that search these indexes are still primitive. Since the advent of digital age there have been two general methods of providing access to electronic information — pages that have been indexed manually and those indexed automatically. On the Web these indexes are subject directories and search engines. In the less than ten years life of the Web these two methods have become blended and further developments have led to value-added indexing services. The constantly-advancing technology, such as the ability to produce dynamic, database-driven Web pages — the ‘invisible Web’ — further challenges the users’ ability to find the authoritative information, general or specific that is required. This presentation gives an overview of the various types of search tools and when to use each, discusses the latest trends in the provision of Webbased information and gives strategies for effective searching.