How to Search the Web
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Email ThisThe Internet: Defined and Explained
Understanding the technological underpinnings of the Internet and the World Wide Web will enhance... read more»
Web Site Credibility
Finding information on the Web is like being a police detective: your information is only as good... read more»
How Search Engines Work
Searching is the most popular way to find information on the Web, and search engines, which are... read more»
Choosing a Search Engine
This is a question most people don't ask, because established search routines are hard to escape.... read more»
The Invisible Web
Many of the Web’s most extensive sites work like libraries. These database sites keep all of their information tucked away in the stacks, and if you want something, you have to ask for it. Although search engines may visit these libraries, they are rarely able to make it past the lobby, and they positively refuse to ask the librarian for help. This causes them (and you) to miss out on the massive amount of information stocked in the back rooms. This hidden material is referred to as part of the "deep" or "invisible" Web.
Dulcinea's Insight
- A brief explanation of the invisible Web:
- Information in databases can be accessed only by a direct search (a search from within the site itself), which prevents search engines from finding it.
- White pages, electronic books, online journals, image files, newspaper archives, dictionary definitions, and patents are examples of the file types found in databases.Frequently updated or changing information, like ticket prices and job listings, are also part of the deep Web.
- Although its exact size is unknown, the deep Web is believed to be 400–550 times larger than the surface Web (the area accessible to search engines).
- One trick for finding databases with standard search engines is as simple as adding the term “database” to your search query. Instead of “Buddhism,” try “Buddhism database.” By doing this, you are using the search engine to find a gateway to more information, rather than the information itself.
- Online databases occasionally require users to pay for access to their content. Schools and libraries subscribe to various database services, so consult your librarian for a list of resources that they may make available to you. Otherwise, consider your research goals to determine whether paying is worthwhile.
Dulcinea's Picks
Web Directories
Web directories are lists of hand-selected sites compiled by Web users and organized into... read more»
Social Bookmarking Tools
One of the recent trends in Web research is "social bookmarking." Social bookmarking... read more»
Scholarly Resources Online
Most standard sources of information aren't adequate for academic purposes; what you need is the... read more»
How to Cite a Source
Almost all of the information you find on the Internet is copyrighted. All copyright and... read more»
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