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SPC 1608 / SYG 2000 - Gesmundo: Internet Search Tips

Tips

Generally, sites that end in .edu or .gov are reliable sources of information.  

Sites that end in .org are run by organizations that most likely have an agenda, so you will have to be careful to check for bias.

For sites that end in .com, you will always have to evaluate the authenticity of the information you find there.

Google Scholar

Google Scholar Search

Google Scholar searches academic publishers, professional societies and pre-print archives. Note: Access may be limited.

Want to learn even more about Google?

The following are self-paced courses where you can brush up on your Google skills:

Power Searching with Google

Advanced Power Searching

Using Google Advanced Search

Google's Advanced Search page can be found here or by going directly to: https://www.google.com/advanced_search

To search for results only with a certain domain (such as .edu or .gov):

           In the search bar type:

            site: 
            Examples:
            “global warming”  site: .gov
            “global warming”  site: www.epa.gov
            “global warming”  site: .edu
            “global warming”  site: www.upenn.edu   

            Popular domains include:
           gov (US government sites) mil (US military sites) edu (US academic sites)
           org (organizations) com (commercial sites), state.nj.us (for US states sites)

 To search for a specific file type, pdf, xls, doc, ppt, ...

            filetype:

            Examples:

            "illegal aliens" filetype:.pdf

            pyramids filetype:.ppt

Use limits like intitle: or intext: to focus your search results

            intitle:

            Examples:
            intitle:voter (the word voter must be in the title of the page)
            allintitle:voter fraud (the words voter & fraud must appear in the title of the page)

 To search within a number range

            Number range searching
            #..#

            Example:
            India “urban redevelopment” 2006..2007
            “digital cameras”  $300...$500

Other tips:

  •  Using * as a wildcard operator when searching will search for missing words within your search phrase. For example: Remember, remember, the * of *

  • Google automatically searches for similar spellings (not synonyms) when you perform a search. For example: diet, dietary, and diets.

  • Using ~ will search for synonyms. For example: ~inexpensive will search for inexpensive, cheap, affordable, etc.