Tools+for+finding+information

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What do you need to find out?
//or What questions do you need to answer?// The secret of good research is thinking about questions before you start.
 * Try [|Thinktank] for help with planning and deciding which questions to investigate.**

Use your mindmap to produce some good questions about your topic. You can't go wrong if you ask yourself :-



Keywords
When you are researching a question or a topic, think about the most useful words about that topic. Turning your questions into answers can help you think of good keywords - think of the works you would expect to find in the answer. If you need help with finding keywords try a dictionary or[| thesaurus] or use [|Visuwords]to get ideas or a glossary at the back of an information book.
 * Keywords** are the words you put into the search box when you are searching for information.

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 * Wiki Summarizer is a great tool for the start of your research. Use it to produce keywords and to find out the basics from Wikipedia. **


 * To improve your skills at producing keywords, try this [|Keyword Speed Challenge]and then move on to Keyword Challenges**

A good way to come up with better keywords is to think about alternative words that mean the same (synonyms) or [|more specific words or more general words]
 * To improve your skills at thinking of alterative words, try the Snowsports Challenges.**
 * [|Test yourself before you start searching.] **

Searching
Computers are not people. They think differently. To get the best out of the Internet, you have to think like a computer.

To search effectively combine your keywords using AND (+) and NOT(-) and putting " " around exact phrases. For more information read Boolean searching on the Internet.and go to [|Boolean Machine]for a demo of how Boolean searching works


 * To improve your searching, try this searching tutorial.**
 * Then learn to search using [|Boolify]**



How Google Works
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 * Go to the Google page for more Google search options.**

If you are stuck try this search wizard.

Alternatives to Google
Google isn't always the best choice of search engine. Here are some others that are worth trying. media type="custom" key="24972398"


 * To improve your skills at hitting yor information target, try the Archery Challenges.**

Refining your search
Sometimes your search doesn't work the first time. You should look at your search results to see where you are going wrong. Use the clues in your results to refine your search,
 * OR** go back and take another look at your keywords or questions.

Once you have started finding information, you need to move on to Tools for reading.