The intent of this instructional manual, which is aimed at exploring the literature of a discipline and presented in a self-paced, course segment format applicable to any course content, is to enable college students to conduct computer-based interactive searches through multiple databases. The manual is divided into 10 chapters: (1) Introduction, which presents a rationale for teaching online searching skills to chemistry students; (2) Introducing Students to Database Searching, which begins by noting that the process of interactive searching involves practice on the use of a computer, modem, software, and telecommunications networks, and helps teach both organization, logic, and in-depth understanding of the subject, and competent, efficient use of the library; (3) Pros and Cons of Course Segment Approach; (4) Getting Started, which covers computer workstations; (5) The Data Base Vendor; (6) Special Notes, which addresses how to overcome a lack of journals at the library and set up security on the network; (7) Reference Material, which suggests five additional sources of information for students; (8) Weekly Procedures and Lessons, which contains 8 lessons over a 10-week period; (9) Online Searching Basics, which includes truncation, codes, order, and the map command; and (10) Miscellaneous, which covers Dialog, Datalog Plus, and Ring System Searching. A glossary of terms and an index are also provided. (ALF)