Answers

Getting started with Google Scholar

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Google Scholar is a free search engine that focuses on scholarly literature, including journal articles, theses, books, conference papers, and patents. Unlike regular Google, which searches the entire web, Google Scholar filters results to academic sources, making it ideal for university research. It also provides citation information, links to full texts (when available), and tools for managing references.

Why is it better than just using Google?

• Quality of sources: Results come from peer-reviewed journals, academic publishers, and reputable institutions, not blogs or commercial sites.
• Citation tracking: You can see how often a paper has been cited and explore related research.
• Advanced features: Options like “Cited by” and “Related articles” help you find relevant studies quickly.
• Integration: Works well with reference managers like Zotero or EndNote.

Tips for searching Google Scholar

1. Use quotation marks for exact phrases
   Example: "climate change impact on agriculture" to get precise results.

2. Filter by date
   Use the left-hand menu to find recent research or set a custom date range.

3. Check “Cited by” links
   This shows newer papers that reference the one you’re viewing—great for finding recent developments.

4. Set up alerts
   Click “Create alert” to get notified when new papers match your keywords.

5. Use Advanced Search
   Access it via the menu (three lines) → Advanced Search for more control over keywords, authors, and journals.

6. Look for PDFs
   Links on the right often lead to free full-text versions hosted by universities or repositories.

7. Build your library
   Use the “My Library” feature to save articles for later reading.

Related FAQ

• How can I find Arden Library resources using Google Scholar? - Answers

If you would like more help, email us at Library@arden.ac.uk or book a librarian appointment