SEARCH TOOLS
Search tools differ in the types of resources they index, how much of a document they search, and how often they are updated -- and no one search tool covers the entire Internet.

• Search engines use keywords to locate resources on specific topics:
  Examples: Bing | Google | Google Scholar | Yahoo!
   
• Subject directories group resources by subject category:
  Examples: BIOTN: Best Information on the Net | CCC Library Site Guides | IPL2: Information You Can Trust | 
   
• Meta-search tools search several search engines at the same time or in succession:
  Examples:  Dogpile | Ixquick | Yippy (formerly Clusty)

Comparison chart of coverage, search options and other features by type and title of search tool -- from the InfoPeople Project. (If you set your browser font size to 10, you can print it on 2 pages.)

NoodleTools is a set of interactive tools that can help design your online research. Some tools offered by this site are by subscription only, but some are free, such as NoodleBib Express (generates a single MLA- or APA-style bibliographic citation), Choose the Best Search (directs you to sites based on specific information needs) and NoodleQuest (interactive help in developing a web search strategy). Click on NoodleTools for the CCC Library subscription; if you want to use the free tools only use this NoodleTools- free link.

IMPROVING YOUR SKILLS (guides & tutorials)

• Credible Sources Count! - Learn more about evaluating web sources by taking this tutorial from Acadia University.
• Evaluating Internet Resources (pdf)
• Evaluating Web Pages: Techniques to Apply and Questions to Ask (from UC Berkeley)
• Finding Data on the Internet: A Journalist's Guide
• Finding Information on the Internet: A Tutorial (from UC Berkeley)
• Internet Search Tips (pdf)
• Using the WWW for Accessing Information (a CLICS tutorial). Includes Web Search Strategies.
• Web Search Strategies in Plain English (CC)