For users with specific areas of interest or need, the Clearinghouse can provided substantial direction for research. If a subject area cannot be found within the collection, then users are encouraged to compile a list of resources as they find them and forward it to the server for addition. Each guide is an individual text or HTML file, with its own internal structure. The Clearinghouse also provides a search interface for users. Searches are performed by a WAIS engine.
Search terms can be complete words or substrings.
Matching documents are not sorted by match quality. The engine searches the fulltext of the enclosed subject guides. Searches are entered using Gopher, and there are no HTML forms. Subject guides are not included or refused for content, but each document is tightly focused over its indicated field. Administration Guides are compiled and posted by students or other Internet users.