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Accessing Information on the Web |
Ka-Neng Au |
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Accessing Information on the Web |
Ka-Neng Au |
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Outline Search Tools Browsing Searching Strategies Boolean Search Tips Evaluation |
BrowsingIf you are interested in seeing what the Web has to offer on a general topic, your best bet is to begin with a directory service or categorizer. Directory services, often compiled by people who are knowledgeable in those topics, are hierarchical listings of Internet sites which begin at a broad topic and end with narrow fields related to the broad topic. Some of the questions a directory can help answer are:
a. General Directories General directories or categorizers cover numerous subject areas. These sites then classify information into a hierarchical subject system from general to specific, e.g. from business to finance to stocks, etc. No one subject directory covers the entire Web. Usually the sites included within the directories are submitted by the information creator who may include a descriptive summary of his or her site and make recommendations for how to classify his or her site. The directory administrators take this information, modify it, and include the site in their directory. Most general directories can either be browsed by following the hierarchical system or searched by keyword. Everyone knows of Yahoo! Other sites that offer categories of topics with selected sites are: b. Subject Directories Subject specific directories or resource guides take a particular area or discipline, e.g. business or biochemistry, and provide links to sources relating to that area or discipline. Many of these subject specific directories can be found using a more general subject directory. One advantage of subject specific directories is that they are usually created by persons with a background or expertise in the area or discipline covered. Below are a few starting places for locating subject guides in your area.
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