Using Search Engines and Advanced Searches

There is nothing more frustrating than wasting time searching through an engine’s results to find that piece of information 
you are looking for.  As a researcher, I am constantly using search engines for needed information.  It was much easier 
when I came 'online' in the late 90s, but each year has brought an ever increasing amount of information.  This barrage of information is wonderful, but it also makes the task of sorting so much more difficult.

Still, there are ways to narrow your search and save your sanity in the process.  Every search engine is geared just a little different in its search criteria.  And with Google being the number one search engine used, this will be the one I will be referencing.  If you do prefer another Engine 'SearchEngineWatch' can help you to refine your searching method for that Engine.


FOCUS THE SEARCH:
The most important thing you can do is figure out exactly what information you are looking for.  Not just a subject, but what
you want to know about that subject.  Lets look for information on say - the 'Archangel Michael'. Using a regular search of Google, this resulted in 1,830,000 hits!  Don't panic, there are ways to focus the search and narrow to a more manageable number.

The use of the minus symbol   -  , can help you start to narrow the search. This helps to eliminate pages that you aren't interested in viewing.
Example:
Archangel Michael    1,830,000
Archangel Michael -saint 1,150,000

Carry this a step further by eliminating more keywords:
Example:
Archangel Michael -saint  1,150,000
Archangel Michael -saint -saints    947,000

You can also reverse this strategy by the use of a plus sign + .  This will focus the search to pages which also include whatever word you added.
Example:
Archangel Michael +saint    525,000
Archangel Michael +saint +saints 267,000