Google Scholar is a subset of the Google search engine that searches the web for what it considers to be "scholarly publications." Its focus is on providing access to journal articles that are available online through the publisher, although it will also retrieve non-scholarly material such as news announcements, academic websites (.edu), slide decks, and the like.
Google Scholar is good for:
Google Scholar drawbacks::
Keep in mind:
To access UCSB Library's licensed copies of articles that you find in Google Scholar, you must first set up Library Links.
1. Go to Settings
2. Choose Library links
3. Find University of California, Santa Barbara in the "library access links" search bar. I recommend choosing both WorldCat and UCSB. See screenshot below.
New and existing Google Scholar users will need to add Get it at UC as a Library Link to their Google Scholar settings for full-text access to materials and to easily request items through Interlibrary Loan (ILL) using their UCSB NetID and Password.
First time connecting Google Scholar to UC Library Search? Use this brief video to see how to connect to UCSB Library full-text resources.
Learn how you can connect UCSB Library to Google Scholar to easily access the full text of an article through UC Library Search.
Title: Connecting Google Scholar to UCSB Library Full-Text Resources: Teaching & Learning Series
Body: Starting on the Google Scholar homepage, login to Google using your UCSB NetID and password. Once you are logged in, find the menu in the top left corner of the screen and select the “settings” option, then the “library links” option. In the search box, enter “University of California, Santa Barbara” and search. Find the “Get it At UC” option and make sure the box is checked, then save your changes. Now, you can search for full-text articles in UCSB Library from Google Scholar! On the Google Scholar homepage, enter your search terms and search. Look for the “Get it at UC” links to access the full-text resource through the Library website. You’ve done it! Having trouble? Ask for help. Need help with your research? Visit us online: library.ucsb.edu/ask