How to Be A Super Internet Researcher
You could have gotten that once in a lifetime opportunity if you only knew how to search better on the Web. Having trouble finding information? You’re not alone. When search engines pull up millions of results in just a single query, you can only get lost in a deluge of information waiting to get read. Whether you are browsing, doing some research for your marketing gig, or working on a client’s project – it pays to know how to make your way in the labyrinth of the World Wide Web.
How to Be a Search Ninja
Love Your Eyes
Did you know that staring for hours at your PC can cause you an eye strain that may lead to serious conditions like Myopia? Be gentle on your eyes by improving the way you read texts on your PC. You can do this by simply adjusting the screen settings of your monitor and placing it 25-30 inches away from your eyes. If your CRT monitor is giving you a big headache, you may want to invest in an LCD monitor to avoid eye strain. Also, make sure that your work place is well-lit.
Improve Readability
There are plenty of cool browser add-ons that can make your browsing experience a breeze. You can try add-ons like Readability, Tidy Read, Reading Glasses or NoSquint to help you minimize clutter from a page and helps you become a fast reader. Some of these also lets you select a style that helps you read better.
Be Keyword-Savvy
Search engines like Google, Yahoo or Bing rely on what you type in to give you the closest match to your search. Like a genie in a lamp, your keywords are their command. Use your keywords well and be specific with the questions you ask. Don’t be lazy! Why type ‘smartphone’ when you can type ‘Apple iPhone 4′? Don’t be afraid to ask!
Get Down the Basics
Narrow down your searches by using lower case for your queries. One thing you would’ve noticed is that search engines love words typed in lowercase. As a general rule, try avoiding articles ( a, an, the ), pronouns ( he, she, it ), conjunctions ( and, or ) preposition ( to, from ). If you’re going to use phrases, keep it up to 8 keywords per search and mix them inside a quotation mark ” “. Your teacher may disagree, but sometimes, it helps to misspell a word. Three most commonly used Boolean basics in between words are AND (if you want to show documents containing a set of words ) OR ( if you like to show sites containing any of the words you typed ), or AND NOT ( when you want a site to contain the first word but not the other )
Be a Profiler
Helen might be the name that launched a thousand ships and in the World Wide Web – you need to check out not only the site’s name, but the URL. What type of domain does it have? You can always go for .edu, .org, or .gov. Once you’ve clicked on a site, check the About Us Page to get an idea of what that website is all about. You may scrutinize all the contents there and read between the lines, yet don’t miss the interaction from the readers. As a researcher, you need to get your facts straight from the horse’s mouth ( or keyboard, to be exact ).
Practice makes perfect when it comes to being a successful internet researcher. With millions of content waiting to get clicked on, you just need a pint of patience to help you love researching online. Just imagine yourself inside a big virtual library, only this time, the librarian is you. Now it’s time to bring down the judge’s hammer on what’s worthy and what’s not.
Google Search Tricks and Tips Tutorial
Something Interesting:
10 Simple Google Search Tricks
How to Choose Effective Keywords for Internet Research
Internet Versus Face-to-Face Instruction
