The STAIR method of problem solving is adapted easily to searching for things on the web.
Statement of problem: What are you trying to find?
Tools: Will you use a search engine or directory? Which one will you use? Each of the commands we discussed earlier in this chapter can be considered a tool as well. When you are stuck, which browser commands can you use to reorient yourself?
Algorithm: Although this will depend upon the tool, eventually it will come down to making an incrementally closer approximation to the eventual page. You may start by looking at a very general topic. Keep getting more and more specific, until you have a page that has the answer to your question.
Implementation: This step is simply trying your search. Just keep moving closer to your goal. If you find yourself getting further than you previously were (as Dan was a couple of times in the example above), simply back up a page or two and try again.
Refinement: The entire process is mainly a matter of refinement. It is very unlikely that you will find the answer to your question on the first link you access. You will need to make several attempts until you get the page you want or realize you have picked a completely inappropriate approach.
The same process could be applied to any kind of search that might occur using the web.