Building Better Google Searches: Google Scholar & Google Books
Google Scholar can be a useful tool for your research, but it has limitations you should be aware of. You also will need to either change Google Scholar's settings to enable it to connect to some of the content in the CSUSB libraries' databases or be sure to use the Google Scholar on our website which has already had its settings changed.
But even if you don't want to deal with changing Google Scholar's settings, make a point of watching the recorded workshop, Set Up Google Scholar to Connect With Library Resources From Home (below), in order to use Google Scholar to its best advantage.
GOOGLE SCHOLAR WITH THE SETTING ALREADY CHANGED
On the library's website click on the Choose a Database button.
On the next screen, click on the letter G in the A-Z lineup, and scroll down to Google Scholar.
GOOGLE BOOKS
Google Books is a way to search the text of a book as opposed to its title, author, and subject. It does not search all books, only those selected by Google. The availability of full text varies—typically, the newer the book, the less full text is available. You may still need to obtain the actual book.
- Google Book Search (Advanced options) This link opens in a new windowIncludes free digitized books (older) and commercial ebooks (newer). To view the free books, limit search to "Full View Only," but the "Limited preview" books frequently include enough content to be useful.
GETTING THE BEST FROM GOOGLE SCHOLAR
- Google Scholar and the Pfau LibraryFind Pfau Library resources through Google Scholar. Written, illustrated instructions. Do not miss the second page, "Things to consider about Google Scholar."
Set Up Google Scholar to Connect With
Library Resources From Home
This half-hour-long recorded workshop provides excellent information on Google Scholar's capabilities and limitations then shows you how to change the Google Scholar settings so it can connect with the Pfau Library's databases.
