Google is a fast and convenient way to find lots of information. But as a private corporation rather than an impartial and vetted source, the results must be viewed with caution by the researcher. The  "Google Tips and Tricks" guide listed below guide will show you how to manage and customize results for your research needs.  Google Scholar should be used as a back up to vetted sources but it can be harnessed as a convenient way to access the Library's journals.  "Optimizing Google Scholar" will show you how.

What about Google Scholar?

Google Scholar can be a great source when used in conjunction with the Libraries' article databases. It can't stand on its own, though, because:

• Not everything in Google Scholar is scholarly. It includes unreviewed reports, industry propaganda, and other materials that are mistakenly indexed.
• Google is not forthcoming about its actual coverage of scholarly literature. No one actually knows how far back their index reaches or if it's comprehensive.
• Google Scholar takes information out of context, and does not show the range of publications in a discipline.
• Researchers with an agenda can "game" the Google Scholar system to make their work look more important and valuable than it is.

It makes a decent "Plan B," but it should not be "Plan A."