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How To Use Google Scholar

Use Google Scholar With Your Empire Login To Access Full-text Articles

Google Scholar is a tool for finding scholarly articles. It covers all subject areas and includes content from many (but not all) publishers, as well as content in repositories and on web sites belonging to authors and research institutions. Many results will not be available in full-text. However, you can change the settings in your personal Google Scholar (you will need to have a personal Google account to do this) so that is also shows links to some full-text content in the library. Here's how:

Then, once signed into Google:

  • In the top left, click the 3 horizontal lines icon and select Settings from the drop-down menu.

Screen capture of the Google Scholar search page with the three horizontal lines icon in top right highlighted.

  • In the menu on the left side of the page, click Library Links and then, in the provided search box, type in: Empire State. 

Screen capture of Google Scholar settings menu with Library Links selected and Empire State typed into the search box.

  • A text entry box and a menu of checkboxes will appear. You should see 2 SUNY Empire State University options. Click both of those check boxes. Then click the Save button.
  • Now you can search Google Scholar and access some full-text articles from the Empire Library, as well as articles on the open web. You will find full-text links to the right of the search results. They will say "PDF from" or "HTML from" or "Find it @ Empire State" 

Screen shot of a Google Scholar result with the Find it @ Empire State displayed on the right side.

Are All Articles From Google Scholar Scholarly?

Despite the name, Google Scholar does have non-scholarly content. You will need to look at each article to determine whether it is scholarly. Here are some questions to ask:

  • Is the author a subject expert?
  • Is the article written for other experts?
  • Was the article peer reviewed? 

You can also find more detailed help using Google Scholar Search Help and Beginners Guide to Google Scholar: Use Google Scholar for Academic Research (YouTube video: 22:12)

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