Point & Click: Internet Search Engines, Subject Guides, and Searching Techniques

Publication Date: October 2000

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Education

Type:

Abstract:

This report discusses criteria to consider when judging the quality of an Internet site and the best strategies for locating information on the World Wide Web (WWW). It includes a discussion of how to evaluate a Web site’s caliber and merit.

There are two ways to search the Internet. The first is to use subject guides (e.g., Yahoo, Galaxy, or WWW Virtual Library), which are compiled by human indexers. These present an organized hierarchy of categories so a searcher can “drill down” through their links.

The second option is to use a search engine (e.g., AltaVista, Google, or Hotbot), an automated software robot which indexes Web pages and retrieves information based on relevancy-ranked algorithms. In addition, there are specialized search engines devoted to a particular topic (e.g., HealthFinder, LegalEngine, or GovBot). Some newly developed search engines (e.g., Oingo, SimpliFind, or WebTop) allow searchers to use natural language concepts in their searches.

In addition to discussing Internet searching techniques, this report describes how subject guides are compiled and how search engines index the WWW, as well as various features common to most search engines. In addition, the report suggests searching tips for retrieving the most precise information.

The report discusses Usenet news groups, e-mail discussion lists, gophers, and miscellaneous Web resources. This report will be updated from time to time.