When is the last time you thought about how you enter searches in a tool like Google?
Take a quick look through Google's How to Search on Google article, then go a step further and check out Refine Web Searches.
Making use of advanced search screens can help you hone your search skills!
Google Advanced Yahoo Advanced
Also -- try limiting your search by domain (.edu, .gov, .org, etc.) by typing site:.edu in the box along with your search terms.
This video describes the features of Google Advanced Search, which can help you focus your search results on exactly what you need.