Skills at Library home

Advanced search techniques

Web searches

★★☆ intermediate

There are many reasons you might wish to search beyond the Library's collections and explore the wider web using search engines like Google, Google Scholar, or Bing. Web searching can give a quick overview of a topic and help you discover sources that are not available in the Library. However, not all the information you find will be suitable for academic work, and you must be prepared to spend time scrolling through irrelevant results in order to pick out useful information. To ensure you make the best use of your time, you should create a search strategy before looking for sources. You should also verify information before using it to ensure it is accurate and from a reliable source.

This section on web searching will help you get the best results when searching Google & Google Scholar, and covers:

• The advantages and limitations of using Google platforms
• How to control your search results and break out of your algorithm 'filter bubble'
• Tips for personalising your Google Scholar experience
• Advanced search techniques

Click to expand presentation: Google search skills

Already confident in your search skills? Continue to the next section on 'Unlocking information' or return to the Skills at Library homepage to select another lesson.

Here's some quick tips to help you get the most out of Google Scholar:

• Set up Library Links by going to Google Scholar settings > Library Links > Search for "Essex" > Tick options for University of Essex > Save
• Make use of the options for each search result:
  • Save search results to review later
  • Cite allows you to see (and copy) a reference for a source
  • Cited by will let you see where a source has been used (allowing you to do chain searching)
  • Related articles may allow you to find useful related content
• Try the Advanced Search. This will give you more control over your search. 

Advanced searching requires intermediate information literacy skills, and should build on an existing knowledge of the types of sources you need and a clear a search strategy. You also need to be able to check the quality of the sources you find. Continue learning with Skills at Library to develop advanced skills.

Want to learn more?

• Attend a Skills at Library open workshop. These sessions will give you an opportunity to practice skills, learn alongside your peers, and get instructor feedback.
• If you haven't already, complete our Academic Skills Audit to assess your current information and academic skills and discover resources to support your development.

Except where otherwise noted, this work by University of Essex Library and Cultural Services is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.