Google and Google Scholar
Searching for information on Google or Google Scholar can be quick and effective. The problem is that the information may be outdated, unreliable or even behind a paywall restricting your access.
Values, biases and assumptions underpin algorithms
Research has made it evident that our digital systems and platforms are far from bias-free. Your own experiences of search engine results will reflect that. From filter bubbles to autocomplete predictions, the underlying algorithms shaping what you find are themselves shaped by the values and opinions of people who are creating, collecting, selecting, viewing or using the data.
Caution
Here are some reasons to be cautious when using Google and Google Scholar to search for relevant, credible, academic resources:
- Search results aren't ranked according to your search criteria alone. Google search results are impacted by previous search activity.
- Search results can be influenced by wider interests, including business, marketing, and political activity.
- Google Scholar results include non-academic and non-peer-reviewed material.
So, when is it okay to use Google?
Google is good to gain initial understanding about concepts, terminology and other context-setting information. It's also helpful to use Google to find publicly available information, e.g. government information, policy documents, or environmental data.
Note
Deakin Library subscribes to many quality materials that you won't find via Google. Searching in the library or a specific database retrieves more reliable search results.
Google Scholar
Google Scholar provides a search of scholarly literature across many disciplines and sources, including articles, books, abstracts, theses and court opinions. Keep an eye out for FIND IT@DEAKIN links; these will lead you to the full text available through one of the databases Deakin subscribes to.
Alert
When accessing Google Scholar, make sure your library links settings are connected to Deakin University.
Tips for searching the web
You will usually find help pages, FAQs, or guides to searching on individual search engine homepages. Click on the plus icons below to explore some common tips for searching the web.
Note
For further information on how to use Google to search effectively, check out this article. There is, in fact, a ‘wrong’ way to use Google. Here are 5 tips to set you on the right path by Muneera Bano (Deakin Software Engineering Academic).