TOPIC:

Yes, if you have a specific topic in mind, its best to check for databases available on that subject. Since databases have carefully selected content, there's a greater chance that you may find reliable, more relevant information related to your topic in a database.

Checking databases can also be an effective method of finding subject specific information.

I agree with Musenchently. A tried and tested way to narrow down your search results in a search engine is to use a BOOLEAN search method. This will allow you to expand or narrow down your research using BOOLEAN connectors such as AND, OR or NOT. Placing the word AND between your search terms will generate results that contain both the terms, in any order while using the word OR will generate results that can contain either or both of the terms. Hence using AND will narrow down your search while using OR will broaden it. Also, placing the word NOT between terms will retrieve documents that contain the first terms only if the second term does not appear.
Is there a particular topic you are searching for?

Using keywords or using a sentence within double quotation "................" can be helpful in hunting down exactly what you want.

I have been using boolean logic for searches and actually it has been very effective in filtering the most relevant information on a topic. You can check out some links on boolean logic on the internet.

Well, as long as you search and find what you want easily, then I guess your search is successful. If not, you can try various methods such as checking online directories, databases, using specialised search engines, or even using boolean logic etc.
Actually all this depends on the topic of your research and the type of information you are looking for.

Is there a fixed strategy to start searching the internet for information on a particular topic?