Chapter 4
Searching the Web

Overview
Searching for information on the Web is both deceptively easy and frustratingly difficult. Both Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer have 'Search' buttons on their toolbars. When you click on this button you are automatically directed to a Web site where you can key-in your search terms to identify Web pages that contain information relevant to your search topic. Perhaps an even easier way of searching is simply to simply enter your search terms into the address bar on your browser. Once you hit the 'Enter' key you are again linked to the Microsoft or the Netscape search engine, where pages relevant to your search are displayed.

The aim of this chapter is to provide you with the necessary skills to search the Internet effectively. To achieve this we will describe the different search tools that are currently available, highlight the relative strengths and weaknesses of each, and provide some tips to help ensure that whatever health topic you are researching on the Web you will find relevant and timely information.

Key topics covered in this chapter