Finding relevant sources can be done in many different ways. These include, but are not limited to, Google, WorldCat Discovery, a specialized database or a visit to the library. Here, we focus on one of the larger and more easily accessible database for academic research: Google Scholar. Google Scholar functions like regular Google, but is specifically designed for academia. When using Google Scholar, ensure that you are logged in to the university’s network through VPN to get access to most articles!

 

Finding the sources you need can generally be considered a two-step process: [1] designing your search term, and [2] skimming your articles to assess their relevance and quality.

 

Designing your search term in Google Scholar is best done by using Google Scholar Advanced Search. It allows you to search for articles that contain (or do not contain) certain keywords and/or phrases, but also allows you to search for articles that were published in a specific period of time or in a specific journal. By thinking about what (kind of) information you are looking for and designing your search commands accordingly, you greatly increase the chances of finding what you need.

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Once you have designed your search term and Google Scholar has output a list of articles, you may take the following steps in selecting articles to employ for your research:

• Skim the titles. Do any of them appear, at first glance, relevant to your research?

• Look at the number listed after ‘Cited by’. This number represents how many other articles have referred to this article; the higher this number, the more relevant you can expect it to be.

• Open the document and read the abstract. Does this article seem useful to you at first glance?

• Read the introduction and/or the conclusion. If it still seems relevant, consider using the literature.

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