There are over 2 billion sites on the internet. Hence, finding the right information, especially authoritative and scholarly sources, can be tricky.

Search engines help bring some order to the internet. A search engine consists of a large subset of internet sites, grouped together in a database.

You may already be familiar with many of the popular search engines such as Google, Ask, Yahoo, and Hotbot. You may also have searched the internet before, using various search engines. In this module, we will focus on using Google to introduce you to various techniques that can be employed for successful internet searching.

Web directories vary greatly in size and coverage, from very broad all inclusive subjects to very specific subjects. The Biomedical Library has produced specific directories called subject guides. The resources listed in these guides have been evaluated by information professionals in the library and includes reference books (print and electronic), databases, and internet sites. To find links to medical dictionaries and encyclopaedias, try looking at the General Medicine subject guide.