Skip to Main Content

Google and Google Scholar Search Tips

Advanced searching tips and setting your library links in Google Scholar to get more University Libraries purchased content.

Connect USC Library to Google Scholar

To access Full Text via the library, update your personal settings in Google Scholar

  1. On the Google Scholar site, click on the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left of the screen.
  2. Select Settings
  3. Click on Library links in the left column
  4. Type University Libraries South Carolina
  5. Check the box next to UofSC University Libraries - ViewIt@UofSC
  6. Click Save

Advanced Searching in Google Scholar

You can use the Google search operators in Google Scholar, plus some other search techniques

Searching for papers by a specific author?

author: finds papers written by

  • Ex: author:washington   
    • returns papers written by people with the name Washington)
  • Ex: washington –author:washington    
    • finds the word washington, but excludes papers written by people named Washington

Other Helpful Information

  • Cited by    
    • Learn what other sources in Google Scholar have cited it
  • Related articles      
    • Google has its own algorithm for determining similar articles
  • Versions   
    • Especially helpful if your initial result doesn’t link to the full-text.  Maybe another version will.
  • Web of Science    
    • Learn what other sources from the Web of Science database (a library subscription) have cited it.
  • Cite    
    • Shows the format for MLA, APA and Chicago styles.

To get to the Advanced search in Google Scholar, after doing a search click on the 3 lines on the top left of the screen

Setting Alerts

After you do a search, click on the link to "Create alert." All you'll need is an email address. You do not have to have a Gmail account. You'll be notified when there are new results that match your search(es).