Searching

Introduction:

There are many useful ways of searching for information. The following modules concentrate on searching with the help of powerful, computerized information retrieval systems. However powerful they are - and they will become more and more so in future - they will still remain tools, and the results will depend on how you use them. So you'll
need to understand at least some important aspects of how they are designed to work with the search statements you enter into them.

While not emphasized in the following modules (which deal with learning the correct techniques), it is essential to realize that although your search uses machines, it should never become mechanical. Ideally, searching should be an intelligent and genuinely human activity, not artificially or thoughtlessly separated from the best values and insights in life.

Though you would be unwise to neglect considering other ways of searching, too, here the following will be discussed:

Using the ICAST catalogue
Using the electronic databases
Using the Internet