The big Web search engines have made it easier than ever to search the Web. Most automatically interpret search strings according to preset criteria, reducing the need to input Boolean operators to tell them how to handle keywords. For researchers who need to target their queries more specifically, most search engines now include menu-driven advanced or "power" search features that allow users to refine search strings without using operators.

In addition, there are a few simple techniques you can use to get better results with nearly every search engine. This tutorial covers those techniques and summarizes the advanced search features of two popular engines, Google and Northern Light.

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