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Searching the Internet
Various search tools can be used to find information
on the Internet. Some search tools will be better
than others depending on what information you need
to find. Some useful search tools include subject
directories, search engines and meta-search engines.
What are Subject Directories?
Subject Directories are collections of Internet
sites, usually organized into broad subject areas.
The Internet sites in subject directories are created,
arranged and maintained by people rather than machines.
Before Internet sites are included in a subject
directory they usually have to meet certain selection
criteria, though the selectivity varies among directories.
Some directories support the needs of academia while
other commercial subject directories cater for the
general public.
Examples
There are many other commonly
used directories. You should familiarize yourself
with more than one as each has a different subject
focus and depth of coverage. The University of Wollongong
Library has developed its own subject directory,
Resources
for assignments, specifically targeting subject areas
taught at UOW.
When should I use a directory?
Directories are useful when the subject area you
are researching is broad (e.g. Genetics) and/or
unfamiliar, when a subject needs to be seen in context,
or when recommended websites are required.
Exercise
Where would you start if you were researching the
ethical aspects of cloning?
Click on the subject directory Librarians'
Index to the Internet below and use the directory
links to locate web sites that deal with cloning.
Click here to see what the
librarian says
Click
here for a list of other commonly used directories
What
are search engines?
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