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printable pdf
Google: This search engine is now such a large part of our lives and modern speech
that the latest edition of the Merriam-Webster dictionary recognizes it as a transitive verb.
google: to use the Google search engine to
obtain
information about (as a person) on the World Wide Web" 1 |
We all do it—Googling. You often hear of professors frowning upon its use, or librarians
warning you to steer clear of it when conducting research, and with good reason. Articles
in subscription databases, books, and dissertations—to name a few information resources—are often
peer-reviewed, edited, approved by publishers, and accepted as authoritative, reliable sources if scholarly
information. Internet resources are often not acceptable or reliable sources of scholarly
information. Find out why.
However, this is not Google’s fault. Indeed, Google is a great resource for
conducting primary research, and, when used correctly, you can find some research-paper-worthy
information on the Internet. This is a guide to help you better use this search engine to its fullest
potential.
General Search Tips
Google Scholar
Google: Advanced Search
How does Google work?
• PageRank™ is Google’s closely guarded method of finding relevant results
to your search queries. PageRank™ uses a number of factors when deciding if
and when to include a web page on your results list, including popularity
of the page, close variations of your search terms, and search term word proximity.
• Google's index size is actually unknown. It is "comprised of billions of
URLS" according to Google's web site.
Tips for Google Searching
• Wonder what gets searched when you type in a couple of keywords?
Searching Several Keywords: Choose Wisely...
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Google searches two terms next to each other by automatically inserting the word
and between them. Google also searches keywords as separate words in close proximity. Thus, 'peanut
butter' is searched as both a phrase ("peanut butter") and as pair of words relevant to, but separated
from, each other (peanut oil in butter). |
Be careful when choosing terms to search. Google will search all terms entered, so include only
those relevant to your question. |
Good Example: (diabetes prevention "adult-onset")
Bad Example: (55 years old and fried cheese curds and don't want diabetes)
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• However, if you want to search the word and, Google ignores it,
even if you type it in capital letters.
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To search a phrase containing the word 'and,' such as 'marriage and
divorce,' you'll want to enclose those search terms in double quotation
marks. This ensures only results containing all words, but only in that
particular order. |
Another way to ensure 'and' shows up in your search results is to write +and. This brings back results
containing all search terms, though not necessarily in the order in which you typed them (but their proximity is likely, due to
Google's PageRank™ system). |
• Google does not allow for search term truncation. However, you can execute a variant of a
truncated search in Google in two ways.
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Google ignores the word "or" unless you type it in all capital letters: OR. Doing this results in
a broadened search. For varied word spellings, such as anesthesia and anaesthesia, placing OR between the two
will net results containing either or both spellings. "OR" is also helpful when searching synonyms, such as teaching OR instruction. |
Though proprietary technology, Google automatically searches for relevant results containing slight variations of your
search terms. This is called stemming. For instance, if you search 'marriage counselor,' Google will bring back results including
the words 'marriage counselors' as well. |
• Google allows you to exclude words from your search results.
Using a Minus (-) Sign to Exclude Certain Words
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Excluding certain words from your results can be helpful when searching
words common in phrases or appearing in pairs. By placing a minus (-) sign right before a word, you tell
Google to exclude that word from the entirety of your search results. Example: 'Iraq -war'
or 'Twins -baseball'. |
• Google can simultaneously search for synonyms of your search term(s).
Using a Tilde (~) to Search for Synonyms
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By including a tilde (~) directly before a search term, Google searches for relevant webpages
containing your original search term(s) and its synonyms. Example: "special education" ~teacher
would search for teacher, classroom, teaching, school etc.
Note: synonyms are often more along the lines of "related" terms rather than direct synonyms. |
Tips for Google Searching: Advanced Search
• Google has an excellent Advanced Search page. Described below are several of the most useful search options and
limits offered on this page.
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• Find Results (the blue-shaded box):
• with all of the words: all search terms must appear in your search results.
• with the exact phrase: similar to searching with quotations. Search phrase must appear exactly as you typed
in every hit included on your results list.
• with at least one of the words: similar to using the Boolean operator "OR." Search results can contain either
or both search terms.
• without the words: search results will not include any terms typed here. Same as using a minus sign
(-) search. |
• Date:
• Limit your results to only include recent material published
on the Internet. This can be a very helpful feature for those looking for information about ever-evolving
topics, such as technology or medicine. Limit increments are 3, 6, or 12 months. |
• Occurrences:
• Limits the location in the web page content of your search term(s).
Locations include anywhere on the page, the text of the page, page title, links, or page URL. Use this limiter
with caution, as it can easily rule out relevant results. |
• Domain:
• Include or exclude certain domain names (.org, .edu) from your search
results. This is helpful when you want to easily rule out less "authoritative" sites, such as .com pages
(commercial sites wanting to sell you something) or only include a certain type of web page. |
• Usage Rights:
• Wondering where to find images safe to use on your web site, in your PowerPoint presentation,
or for a promotional poster? Limiting your search results to only include open source, open access,
free, creative commons etc. sites is a great way to find information without violating copyright laws. Of
course, be sure to read the usage statement on each web page just to be safe! |
Want more information?
• Google has a helpful Cheat Sheet with additional advanced searching tips.
• GoogleGuide.com offers an Advanced Operators Reference guide. There is a
printable pdf version linked near the top of the page.
• Compare several search engines’ features on UC Berkeley’s Search
Engines: Tables of Features page.
1Google. (2007). Merriam-Webster online dictionary. Retrieved June 26, 2007, from http://www.m-w.com.
All screenshots & logos used with the written permission of Google.
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Last revised: August 01, 2007
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