Search Engines



Search Engines

Is the web a good research tool?  The answer is a qualified yes, but only if you are careful.  Children should be supervised by an adult when viewing the web.  Unlike published print and audiovisual resources, information found on the internet is not subject to a review process.  Therefore, you should use judgement in selecting sites.   Use the following quick check list to evaluate the web sites that you use:

  • WHO put this site on the web?
    • Is it an organization or one person?
    • Does the individual/group have expertise in the subject?
    • Is there an "All About Us" section? 
    • Is there any contact information?
  • WHAT kind of site is it?  WHY is it there?
    • .com - a commerical site
    • .org - a group or organization
    • .edu - a school
    • .gov - a government
    • .mil - a military
    • .net - a network
    • Is the purpose to information, convince, sell, or entertain?
    • Is there any bias?
  • How does it look?
    • Does it have meaningful & useful content?
    • Is it age appropriate?
    • Is it well-written; free of grammar and spelling errors?
    • Is it easy to naviagte?
    • Does it contain a bibliography?
  • WHEN was it last updated?
    • Are all of the links active?
Basic Search Tips
  • Single Term Searching
    • Enter your search terms in lower case.
    • Use a wildcard (word marked with an asterisk) allows you to search simultaneously for several words with the same word stem.  Example: cook*
    • Capitalize proper nouns to search for specific people, places, or products.
    • Enclose a phrase in double quotes to search for that exact phrase.
  • Double Term Searching 
    • If you type modern art, the computer reads it as modern or art.
    • If you type "modern art", the computer reads it as the topic modern art.
    • If you type modern and art , the computer reads it as the topic modern art.
    • If you type modern+art, the computer reads it as the topic modern art.

Search Engine Links (* All links will open up in a new browser window)
Kid Friendly Sites

*Those sites marked with an asterisk are preferred for student use.

Facult & Parents (Students must have librarian's permission to use the following search engines.)