Making Google Scholar Work for You
What is Google Scholar?
Google Scholar searches selected scholarly information:
- Articles, books, preprints, conference proceedings, and technical reports
- Most subject areas, but is strongest in the sciences and technology
- Only a small portion of what is in Research Port and the Catalog
Tips
- Use the "Find It@UMCP" links to obtain the full text of an article or to find out how else to access it.
- Don't pay for articles in Google Scholar. Click on the "Find It@UMCP" link. Even if there isn't a link to full text, the Libraries can get it for you for free through Interlibrary Loan.
- Narrow or refine your search using Advanced Search. You can limit your search by author, date, or subject area.
Frequently asked questions about Google Scholar
- How is Google Scholar different from Google?
- Why is "Find It@UMCP" sometimes found in large print next to the title but other times is small or doesn't appear?
- I'm not seeing the "Find It@UMCP" links. What should I do?
- What is "Cited by"?
- What is "Web Search"?
- I'm not finding what I need. Where else should I look?
- Where can I get more help?
How is Google Scholar different from Google?
While Google searches the general Internet, Google Scholar searches only for information considered "scholarly" by Google Scholar. This includes articles from academic publishers, university repositories, professional societies, and preprint repositories. Much of the information listed in Google Scholar maynot actually be available through Google.
Why is "Find It@UMCP" sometimes found in large print next to the title but other times is small or doesn't appear?
When Google Scholar thinks the Libraries have the full text of a document, the Find It@UMCP link is large and next to the title. When it doesn't, the link is smaller and less prominent. No matter where it appears, you should always use the Find It@UMCP link to see if the Libraries own the item or can get it for you for free.
I'm not seeing the "Find It@UMCP" links. What should I do?
Find It@UMCP links show up if you're on campus. If you're not on campus, either:
- Access Google Scholar through Research Port, or
- On the Google Scholar search page, go to Scholar Preferences. In the Library Links section, look up University of Maryland. Click on the checkbox and then on Save Preferences.
What is "Cited by"?
Clicking on the "Cited by" link searches for other items that cite that document. It only includes documents in Google Scholar.
What is "Web Search"?
Clicking on "Web Search" searches for information about that document in Google.
I'm not finding what I need. Where else should I look?
Do more targeted or comprehensive searching using the databases in Research Port or search the Libraries' Catalog.
Where can I get more help?
Ask a librarian or stop by the information desk at any library on campus.
