Designed for educators requesting information from ERIC and for the search intermediary who channels educators' requests to a search service, this updated guide explains in non-technical language the steps involved in preparing a computer search for the ERIC database. A beginning section on how to initiate a search discusses the choice of a database and whether to use a manual or computer search. A discussion of the search negotiation process covers the type of search and problem definition. The process of developing a search strategy is also examined, including access points to ERIC materials; using the Thesaurus of ERIC Descriptors; indexing rules, including use of major descriptors and identifiers, indexing specificity, and educational levels; and indexable elements, i.e., population concepts, activities/action and methodology/materials concepts, curriculum concepts, identifiers, and document form/type concepts. Five appendices list the ERIC Clearinghouses with contact information, databases of interest to educators, publication types and codes, and educational level descriptors, and provide forms for ordering ERIC documents and reprints of journal articles. A glossary and a 42-item bibliography are included. (LMM)