Google Scholar

What is Google Scholar?

Google Scholar is a search engine that allows users to search for academic resources and scholarly literature such as abstracts, full-text articles, theses, books, and more from across many disciplines. It also includes access to case law. You can use the above search box to get started. 

Is Google Scholar Peer-Reviewed?

The database itself is not peer-reviewed, but it contains many peer-reviewed articles. Be aware of other content that will appear in your searches:

• Masters Theses & Dissertations- Google Scholar is a great way to search for other students' theses and dissertations, but just as you wouldn't cite someone else's research paper in your own, these resources are best used to link to their original resource. These sources will have a title page that labels them as a thesis or dissertation.
• Book Reviews- Many peer-reviewed journals feature book reviews that, like dissertations, are great to link to additional resources but aren't as useful as sources.

Basic Searching in Google Scholar

As you search, there are several links:

1. The link on the left on the title of the article will take you directly to the publisher's website, where you will need to pay for access to the article.
2. The link on the right will take you to the full text of the article, either through Jenks Library or an open-access source. 
3. If there is no link on the right, request the full text for free through InterLibrary Loan

Search Tools in Google Scholar

Each search result in Google Scholar has several tools to make your research easier.

1. Save- use this to save to your Google Library. Find more on "Google Scholar Library" page

2. Cite- generate a citation in MLA, APA, Chicago, Harvard, or Vancouver

3. Cited by- use this link to find Descendant Articles, or newer articles that cite this original article!