Find Websites
Here are the search engines and directories we recommended for finding websites on a broad range of subjects. When used carefully, they can yield material that is appropriate for academic research.
To learn more, try our online tutorial or come to a free drop-in workshop.
Using a public computer in the UC Berkeley Libraries? See below
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Recommended
Search Engines
Full text of billions of web pages
Detailed table of features
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Tips for Google, Yahoo!, Ask.com,
and most other search engines
You are searching the full text of web pages. Use specific terms.
Ex: war of 1812 causes, not just history
Use quotes to require an exact phrase.
Ex: "one small step for a man"
Use capitalized OR to get either word.
Ex: (ucb OR cal) bears
Use - (dash) to exclude a word
Ex: proliferation -nuclear
Use "site:" to specify a particular website or Internet domain.
Ex:global warming site:whitehouse.gov
Ex:immigration attitudes site:edu
Use the "Advanced Search" links for guidance in limiting by language, field, Internet domain, etc.
Remember that search engine results are selected by computer software, not by human experts. Carefully evaluate what you find!
More tips ...
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Recommended Subject Directories
Selected and evaluated websites
Details and more recommendations
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Subject menu and basic search
Help
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Advanced search
Librarians'
Internet Index includes 20,000+ carefully selected
and annotated sites, many useful for academic research.
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Tips for LII, InfoMine,
and most other directories:
These are created mostly or entirely by humans, not by computer software. Their databases are relatively small, but highly selective.
The searches cover website names and descriptions, not full text. Use general terms.
Ex: cloning, not first cloned animal
It's often best to browse the subject menus, especially if your searches don't get useful results.
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Subject menu and basic search
Help
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Advanced search
125,000+ selected and annotated
websites for academic research.
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New Approaches to Web Searching
Try these new tools and tell us what you think!
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Tips for Google CSE's:
Step 1: Use the search box or directories at left to find CSE's that might cover your topic. At this stage, use general terms.
Ex: transit, not urban transit programs
Step 2: Select a CSE from the results and use its search box. Now you are searching full text of the websites it covers. Use more specific terms, just as you would in Google.
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Tips for Exalead:
Explore the options on the right side of the results screen. "Advanced Search" offers more ways to be specific.
Remember that this database is smaller than Google, Yahoo, etc. If you don't find what you're looking for, try those search engines.
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For More Information
Use our online tutorial or come to a free drop-in workshop
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Note: On public computers in the libraries, full Internet access is provided for UCB students, faculty and staff via
CalNet ID logon. Research access is available to all visitors: use of catalogs,
article database and licensed library resources, as well as websites in
the .edu, .gov, and .org domains (details | local alternatives for Internet
access).
Copyright © 2008
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Last updated 05/13/08. Server manager: contact
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