Google Scholar
In order to search Google for scholarly sources, use Google Scholar. Make sure you're signed in through the library's webpage if you're off-campus! That way, you will see links in your Google Scholar search that send you straight to the article through WOU, if we have access to it.
General Google Searching
Heed your instructor's advice regarding Google searching. Make sure your sources meet the following standards:
Go to www.google.com and try each of the searches below to see how they change your results. You can also try these techniques using Google's advanced search form.
Part 1: Search by Domain Name
In the search box, enter some keywords as you normally would and then add this to the end of your keywords: .domain (e.g. .edu, .gov, etc.) PLEASE NOTE: The domain of a website does NOT determine its credibility. You must evaluate each website you use for credibility, regardless of its domain.
Common Domain Names:
.com generic domain, usually commercial, but anyone can use it
.edu limited to U.S. educational institutions
.gov limited to U.S. government
.org usually non-profit organization, but anyone can use it
.mil limited to U.S. military
.museum = museums
.net = networks, but anyone can use it
Part 2: Search Using Special Characters
Exert greater control over your search results using special characters called search operators.
Common search operators:
Search for an exact word or phrase using quotation marks (" "): "keywords"
Exclude a word by adding a dash (-) before the word you'd like to exclude from your results: -keyword
Include a "fill in the blank" by using an asterisk (*) before or after a word or phrase: keyword*
Search for pages that are similar to a URL by using related:keyword
Part 3: Search by File Type
This technique allows you to limit your search to a particular file type. It can help you find reports, newsletters, articles, fact sheets and similar documents.
In the search box, add this to the end of your search: filetype:PDF *Note: Use PDF not .PDF (with a period)*
Other Common File Types:
doc or docx = Word document
xls or xlsx = Excel spreadsheet
ppt or pptx = PowerPoint
Chat: Ask WOU Library
E-mail: libweb@wou.edu
Phone: 503-838-8418
Text: 503-383-9681
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