This manual provides information to aid home computer owners in performing literature searches of ERIC and other education and social science databases, such as the DIALOG Information Services "Knowledge Index" System. Assuming some familiarity with printed ERIC indexes or online searches, this manual is divided into five chapters. It is suggested that potential searchers should study the first two chapters before going online. These chapters cover the basic concepts of developing a search strategy and the commands used by the DIALOG Information Services "Knowledge Index" system. The third chapter discusses various ways to modify the search strategy regarding the retrieval of too few or too many citations. The next chapter explains how to accomplish some common types of non-subject searches: specific authors or articles from specific journals. The final chapter provides basic information concerning other searchable databases: Psychological Abstracts; Microcomputer Index; and Books in Print. Attachments include: Search Strategy Worksheet; ERIC Field Names and Abbreviations; "Knowledge Index" Command Summary; Mandatory Level Descriptors; and Publication Type Codes. (PN)