Search Engines are data bases designed to index the World Wide Web. The basic concept of Search Engines is this: users supply information about what they are after, then the Search Engine feeds back to users a list of suitable locations that it assesses might be relevant. Many Search Engines are now available. Search Engines allow users to do Boolean searches, but each Search Engine works in a different way. No two are the same, and many use slightly different methods of searching and responding. The use of keywords is common to all Search Engines. However, some also provide thematic or topic categories for selection - these allow users to navigate a series of menus until they find the information they want. Searching works well if users are looking for a very specific topic. Browsing by topic is often better if users are not quite sure what they are looking for. The Search Engines mentioned here will meet most information needs. Since no single index covers all sites, students should use more than one Search Engine to achieve the best results. In order to get the best results, read the "Search Tips" provided.

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Meta-Search Engines are powerful computer programs that search many other Search Engines. They should be used to locate information about topics which have proven to be very difficult to find. They are much more thorough than regular Search Engines and result in many more hits - which can also be a disadvantage.

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