Search Strategies

There are two basic strategies for locating information on the Web, searching and browsing.

Searching and browsing have many connotations and are used in many different ways in reference to the Web. In this module, searching refers to querying a database on specific criteria, while browsing refers to navigating hierarchically by subject categories. The goal of both strategies is the same: to locate relevant Web pages.

According to research on Web use, most people automatically prefer to search rather than browse. Jakob Nielsen, a Web usability expert, reported in 1997 that 50% of all users prefer to search, whereas 20% prefer to browse. The remaining 30% use a hybrid of the two strategies (see Search and You May Find).

There are Web tools that are specific to each of these strategies. Before you can make an informed decision about which strategy and tool are best for your needs, you should know a little about how each of the tools works.

There are two basic types of tools for locating information on the Web: search engines and directories.

In the following pages, this module will introduce:

• search engines;
• directories;
• selecting the proper tool;
• advanced search teachniques and tips; and,
• additional resources about searching the Web

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