Before you start your search
First take time to think about exactly what you are looking for – be specific.
It may be useful to write out your topic in the form of a sentence or question to help clarify exactly what type of information you need.
Write down all the keywords and phrases that best describe your topic.
Think of synonyms or related terms for each concept or point.
Search tips
Start with simple search terms. Then refine your search by adding more specific words, excluding words, using dates, specific sites, to get the best results.
The order in which you put your words into the search bar matters. The first word will be given the most importance.
Use quotes to search for an exact phrase. "I have a dream"
Use the minus sign to eliminate results containing certain words. salsa -dancer
Don't use common words (like "a" or "the") or punctuation, or worry about capitalization.
Use OR to return results with either of two terms. cats dogs will look for sites with both terms. cats OR dogs will look for sites with either terms.
Search within a specific site. site:cbc.ca
Find a word's meaning. define:coincidence
Try using Google's search tools or advanced search