What is Google Scholar?
What is Google Scholar?
In November of 2004 search giant Google launched a new product called Google Scholar. Google Scholar includes references to and in some cases the full text of peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, preprints, abstracts and technical reports from many subject areas, however it is strongest in the field of science and technology. Google Scholar is still in a testing phase and it is anticipated that new subject areas will be added over time.
Should I go to Google Scholar to get scholarly journal articles instead of using the online databases available through the Cofrin Library?
We recommend that you include Scholar in your arsenal of research resources, but we do not recommend that you start there for scholarly journal articles. The databases provided by the Cofrin library cover a broad range of subject areas and are selected to support our curriculum; therefore, they are a better starting point for most searches. Check out our How do I find Articles page for more information.
What if I am asked to pay for the full text of an article I find through Google Scholar?
If you are asked to pay for an article you find through Google Scholar, first check the Cofrin Library’s Find Your Citation service to see if we have free access to the journal. Even if we do not have free access, you can submit an Interlibrary Loan request and we will find a copy of the article you need at another library. Interlibrary Loan costs $1 per article and takes about a week. Here is a situation that happened just the other day that illustrates why checking with the Cofrin library is the best approach.
A student was looking for scholarly journal articles on the topic of infant vision and did a search in Google Scholar from off campus. She found a citation to an article that looked perfect, but after following the link to the publisher’s website she was prevented from getting the full text unless she agreed to use her credit card and pay 38 dollars! She came to the library the next day and asked a librarian at the desk if there was any other way to get the article. The librarian did a search in the library database PsycInfo, and discovered that we have FREE access to the article as part of our subscription. Even if we did not have access, we could get the article through interlibrary loan for 1 dollar.
How can I get help finding scholarly information?
The Cofrin Library reference staff is available to help you with your research. Stop by the 3rd floor reference desk, call (920) 465-2303, or check out our Research Assistance page.
In November of 2004 search giant Google launched a new product called Google Scholar. Google Scholar includes references to and in some cases the full text of peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, preprints, abstracts and technical reports from many subject areas, however it is strongest in the field of science and technology. Google Scholar is still in a testing phase and it is anticipated that new subject areas will be added over time.
Should I go to Google Scholar to get scholarly journal articles instead of using the online databases available through the Cofrin Library?
We recommend that you include Scholar in your arsenal of research resources, but we do not recommend that you start there for scholarly journal articles. The databases provided by the Cofrin library cover a broad range of subject areas and are selected to support our curriculum; therefore, they are a better starting point for most searches. Check out our How do I find Articles page for more information.
What if I am asked to pay for the full text of an article I find through Google Scholar?
If you are asked to pay for an article you find through Google Scholar, first check the Cofrin Library’s Find Your Citation service to see if we have free access to the journal. Even if we do not have free access, you can submit an Interlibrary Loan request and we will find a copy of the article you need at another library. Interlibrary Loan costs $1 per article and takes about a week. Here is a situation that happened just the other day that illustrates why checking with the Cofrin library is the best approach.
A student was looking for scholarly journal articles on the topic of infant vision and did a search in Google Scholar from off campus. She found a citation to an article that looked perfect, but after following the link to the publisher’s website she was prevented from getting the full text unless she agreed to use her credit card and pay 38 dollars! She came to the library the next day and asked a librarian at the desk if there was any other way to get the article. The librarian did a search in the library database PsycInfo, and discovered that we have FREE access to the article as part of our subscription. Even if we did not have access, we could get the article through interlibrary loan for 1 dollar.
How can I get help finding scholarly information?
The Cofrin Library reference staff is available to help you with your research. Stop by the 3rd floor reference desk, call (920) 465-2303, or check out our Research Assistance page.
posted by Cofrin Library | UW-Green Bay at 3:40 PM
