Microbiology

Librarians often, rightly, warn students that the Internet may not be the best or easiest place to find good information on a topic, but to instead use books and periodical articles. Good information can be found on the web, but it requires careful searching and evaluation.

Microbiology and the sciences in general, though, are an area in which the strengths of the Internet can be put to good use. Governmental and educational research agencies and professional organizations may publish articles and databases which are freely available. There is also an increasing amount of peer-reviewed scientific information available. Finally, some individuals and subject directory creators have created portals which usefully collect good sites in a field.

A great strength of the Internet is the availability many images which can be downloaded for reports and papers.

Remember that anyone can post anything at all on the Web, from outright lies to informed opinion to accurate, thoroughly researched information. Therefore you must always evaluate a website before you rely on it for your research or personal use.

The sites listed here have been collected and reviewed for quality by an STLCC faculty librarian. For help with evaluating websites and other information sources which you find on your own, visit ...

Google and other search engines offer Advanced Search options which allow you to target your searching by either modifying your search terms or applying limits.

Modifying Search Limits

On Google's Advanced Search everything under the phrase "Need More Tools?" applies limits to either how your results are displayed or which type of results are displayed. At the bottom of the page there are even more limits.

• The Golden Key-The most useful search limit though is the one called "Search within in a site or domain." This limit allows you to limit your search to specific domain names such as: .gov, .edu, .org, .com. By doing this you can break down your search into pieces and more easily find good web sites.
• Compare this search for esherichia coli:
  • without a search limit applied
  • with the domain limited to .gov sites
  • with the domain limited to .edu sites.

Modifying Search Terms

• The 1st search box on Google's Advanced Search is a simple search box. To narrow your search it is helpful to include more search terms.
• Any words placed in the 2nd seach box will be searched by Google as a phrase. You can do this on a regular Google search page simply by placing quotation marks around a phrase or name.
• And words placed in the 3rd search box(es) will be searched separately and all the results shown. This broadens your search and is not recommended except for obscure topics.
• And words placed in the 4th search box will be excluded from your search. Again, unless you have a specific need to do this, this is not recommended as you might miss out on useful results. Instead, include more terms using the first box to try to narrow your topic.