A system for performing data searches on a network includes a computer system forming a node on the network and having a database of electronic documents. Each electronic document is associated with at least one resource description. The computer system is programmed to generate print data representing a search form such that the search form carries information relating to at least one parameter of a search to be carried out and coded data associated with that information and representing a search instruction input field. A printer is connected to the network for receiving the print data from the computer system to print the search form. A sensing device is capable of sensing the coded data and is operatively connected to the printer to write search instructions to the computer system, via the printer and the network. The computer system is programmed to carry out a search on the network, in response to the instructions, based on the, or each parameter and to instruct the printer to print results of the search.