Big History
Big History
Search Tips
Search Tips
1. Google's natural search language is an AND search--there is no need to type the word AND into Google.
1. Google's natural search language is an AND search--there is no need to type the word AND into Google.
2. Search order matters--do NOT type a full question into the Google Search Bar! Doing so prioritizes question words, and includes other irrelevant/extraneous words as well.
2. Search order matters--do NOT type a full question into the Google Search Bar! Doing so prioritizes question words, and includes other irrelevant/extraneous words as well.
3. It is always a good idea to come up with alternative terms for your topic. If you aren't getting enough results, try an OR search, which will look for articles/ websites with either of your search terms.
3. It is always a good idea to come up with alternative terms for your topic. If you aren't getting enough results, try an OR search, which will look for articles/ websites with either of your search terms.
4. Use quotation marks to lock together phrases and ensure that they keep their meaning.
4. Use quotation marks to lock together phrases and ensure that they keep their meaning.
5. Getting results that are unrelated to your topic? Eliminate them using the minus sign (-).
5. Getting results that are unrelated to your topic? Eliminate them using the minus sign (-).
6. Limit by date to ensure that you have the most current articles. Or, try a custom date range to find primary sources.
6. Limit by date to ensure that you have the most current articles. Or, try a custom date range to find primary sources.
7. Want to ensure credible results? Try a domain search. Use .edu, .org, or .gov. Remember, only .gov ensures complete authority.
7. Want to ensure credible results? Try a domain search. Use .edu, .org, or .gov. Remember, only .gov ensures complete authority.
8. Limit your results to .PDF if you are looking for scholarly and/or published articles.
8. Limit your results to .PDF if you are looking for scholarly and/or published articles.
Google Advanced Search
Google Advanced Search
Check out this cheat sheet comparing advanced search bar shortcuts to the Google Advanced Search page!
Check out this cheat sheet comparing advanced search bar shortcuts to the Google Advanced Search page!
Still need some help?
Still need some help?
Check out this short video for a quick overview!
Check out this short video for a quick overview!
Remember:
Remember:
When using a website, you typically have to create your own citation.
When using a website, you typically have to create your own citation.
You can do this by using a citation generator (such as EasyBib), but you MUST ensure that the fields are filled in correctly. Refer to the OWL at Purdue MLA Citation Guide to double check that the information is correct.
You can do this by using a citation generator (such as EasyBib), but you MUST ensure that the fields are filled in correctly. Refer to the OWL at Purdue MLA Citation Guide to double check that the information is correct.
CITATION FORMAT:
Author Last Name, First Name. "Article Title." Source Title. Day Month Year Published, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.
EXAMPLE:
History Channel. "History of Chocolate." A&E Television Networks. 21 August 2018, https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-americas/history-of-chocolate. Accessed 11 April 2019.