Directories

Our Search In the first module of this series, NetSearch: Search Tools, we began our search on the topic of “pollution.” “ NetSearch” is a series of Web Library modules about using the Internet.

Our Search In that module, we decided to search using a web directory search tool. This decision resulted from an initial search of a very broad topic, “pollution.”

Our Search In this module, we use a directory to narrow our search. Using a directory, we will model refining our search to a single topic about pollution.

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Example Directories The Resources page links to these and other directories.Resources

Directories A person hand selects each web site in the database. This is time consuming and hard to keep current. Directories are, however, good sources that aid us in narrowing searches to find specific topics.

Directories New users often do not know much about searching techniques. Using a directory for an initial search is an effective method for new users to begin a search.

Directories

Subject List Select a Directory from the alphabetical subject list.

Subject List We will select SCIENCE.

Subject List Using “SCIENCE” in Yahoo’s hierarchical subject list takes us to the Yahoo Science Directory page.

The Search Box Note that the keyword, “pollution” has been typed into the search box.

Web Directories There are many web directories, each designed for a different purpose. For example, if you needed information about a federal law, rule or regulation, you could search the FedLaw Directory.FedLaw

Search Results The results of the search yielded 568 hits, many of which, may not be of interest to us.

Refining the Search Refining the search by using “light pollution” yields 27 hits that are relevant to our topic.

Search HELP

Web Directories There many different kinds of web directories.

Looksmart Results of the search in Looksmart yielded 17 sites, but several were not relevant to “light pollution.”

About Results of the search in About.com yielded 475 sites, but most were not relevant to “light pollution.”

About Using the category, Physics and “light pollution,” yielded 79,367 hits. So far, 60 of these hits appear to be relevant to our topic, “light pollution.”

Summary Each web directory is unique. With a bit of practice in searching, you will discover which web directories you prefer. With a little more practice and searching, you will also discover many specialty and subject specific web directories.

Types of Tools Using “web directory” in the search box of Yahoo, for example, will yield a list of many more web directories. Try it for yourself. Go to Resources to find a list of web directories.

Subject Web Directories Type “physics web directory” in the search box to find 42 subject specific web directories.

Coming Next In the next module in this series, Dr. Scott Nicholson demonstrates how to perform effective Boolean searches.

Coming Next Learning how to search a topic with the Boolean technique will make your searching more efficient and effective.