Online search skills

On these pages you will find links to a number of online resources which can be used to help improve your search skills. They include subject specific guides and tutorials, and tools designed to increase understanding and more effective use of databases and search engines.  

• Internet for health and social care  (tutorial)
  If you are studying or working in health or social care, this tutorial directs you to relevant internet-based resources. This tutorial was developed by the Virtual Training Suite of the Resource Discovery Network.
  
  
• Internet for social work  (tutorial)
  Launched in July 2000 this 'teach yourself' tutorial is aimed at students, lecturers and researchers and shows what the Internet can offer social workers. The tutorial was developed by the Social Care Institute for Excellence and is one of a series of tutorials developed by the Virtual Training Suite of the Resource Discovery Network.
  
  
• Internet Detective (tutorial)
  Internet Detective is a free online tutorial aimed at helping students to develop Internet research skills. It looks at critical thinking requires when using the Internet for research and offer practical advice on evaluating the quality of web sites.
  
  
• Safari (Skills in Accessing. Finding and Reviewing Information)
  Produced by the Open University, Safari is a guided expedition through the information world. It is divided into seven sections, each covering a particular aspect of information skills.
  
  
• TONIC (interactive course)
  A practical guide to using the Internet produced by Netskills, University of Newcastle.  Use of TONIC is free, but users are required to register. Registration allows you to track your own progress through the course. There are 6 modules which take 40-45 minutes to complete Each TONIC module contains a quiz allowing you to test your understanding of a range of topics. The topics include: Introducing the Internet, Exploring the Internet, Internet Information retrieval skills.
  
  
• Web search strategies (tutorial)
  The Web search strategies site focuses on finding information on the web using search engines and subject directories. It details how to prepare and construct a search strategy. The tutorial is aimed at people already familiar with the basics of using the internet.
  
  
• A quick guide to database searching (PDF)
  Produced by the University of the West of England (UWE), this guide concisely describes the steps needed to be considered when searching databases.
  
  
• Google Guide (tutorial)
  Google Guide is an online interactive tutorial and reference to get the most out of Google. This site is for experienced users and novices.

See also:

• Information skills for researchers
  Published by the Open University, this site targets Postgraduate researchers. Sections include: Advanced search techniques; Evaluation; Referencing and rights and Presenting and publishing research.

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