Google Scholar

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Contents 1 Introduction 2 What is Google Scholar? 3 What is in Google Scholar? 4 Why would I use Google Scholar? 5 Setting up Google Scholar for Off-campus Use 6 Google Scholar vs. Library Databases 7 Is there a good alternative to Google Scholar? 8 Cited Sources

Introduction

This article provides very basic information about Google Scholar, as well as instructions on getting started using the database for off campus users. Individuals off campus may want to pay special attention to instructions on setting up their Google Scholar preferences.

• For more explanation of using Google Scholar to access Open WorldCat (being edited with information about WSU WorldCat Scales 16:31, 11 October 2009 (PDT)), consult Google Scholar Part 2.
• For details on accessing fulltext scholarly articles via Google Scholar, consult Google Scholar Part 3.

What is Google Scholar?

Google Scholar is an academic component of the well known search engine "Google," which was introduced in November 2004. The project is an effort to make library holdings, and scholarly articles more accessible. At the very least, it can provide you with citations to resources that may be helpful to you. If used to its full potential, Google can give you easy access to some of the scholarly articles subscribed to by your library.

What is in Google Scholar?

No one seems to have a definitive answer to this question. Some analysis has been done comparing the search results from commercial databases to results in Google Scholar. A table of these results can be found in an article [1] published in April of 2006.

This study concluded that Google Scholar is strongest in the areas of science and medicine, while weaker in the social sciences and education, and very weak in the humanities.

Why would I use Google Scholar?

Google Scholar can be a good place to start research, and to get an idea of what's "out there." Ultimately, it will lead you to some (but not all) of the databases subscribed to by the WSU Libraries.

If you just need a few academic articles on a topic, or want the titles of some books, Google may be quite useful to you. If you are conducting more serious research for a paper, you will want to migrate to more specialized databases.

Setting up Google Scholar for Off-campus Use

If you want to use Google Scholar while you are NOT on a WSU campus, you will need to edit your "Scholar Preferences." On the Scholar Preferences page, you will see a section called "Library Links." Type in "Washington State University" into the box in this section. As of 12-12-06, you should see a check box come up:

• Washington State University (Find It at WSU Libraries)

Check the box - then save your preferences.

Google Scholar vs. Library Databases

Here is how the coverage of Google Scholar compares to some of the more popular WSU databases:¹

ABI / Inform - Business	52%	Education Full Text	40%
MLA Bibliography	8%	JSTOR about JSTOR	30%
Sage Journals Online	94%	Science Direct	90%
PsycInfo about PsycInfo	48%	Sociological Abstracts	44%
PubMed about PubMed	100%	Chemical Abstracts about Chemical Abstracts	60%

Is there a good alternative to Google Scholar?

You may find the Cross Search service in WSU's Searchit! helpful. You may choose a category of information and search multiple databases there.

Cited Sources

1. The Depth and Breadth of Google Scholar: An Empirical Study. Chris Neuhaus, Ellen Neuhaus, Alan Asher, Clint Wrede. Portal : Libraries and the Academy. Baltimore: Apr 2006.Vol.6, Iss. 2; pg. 127, 15 pgs.