How to Do Academic Research in Google Like a Pro

One of the most important literacy skills for the 21st century is the ability to quickly and strategically find information and ask questions in Google.

Find Related Terms in Google. You can use Google sets and Google Search Suggest to find other related terms and phrases to search for. Google sets and search suggest are like a Thesaurus on steroids, because they are powered by the Google data set.

Google Options Just Launched. It has 2 great options for changing the nature of your Google search. First, you can use the Wonderwheel to find related info. For instance a search for “technology trends” tells me that smart mobs, artificial intelligence, and twitterfacebook are technology trends. This tool just launched, so it will likely get better with time.

Check out Google News. It even allows you to customize by the dates you need.

Check out Google Scholar. Here you can find academic articles about a particular issue. Unfortunately only about 10 to 20% are available, so you will have to find. The great thing about Google scholar is you can tell how many other articles have cited a particular article, so you can determine how influential and authoritative the article is. Also, Google scholar should be more comprehensive than any one paid academic research portal such as ProQuest, Muse, or Ebsco Host. You can also use Google scholar to help you create your bibliography when you are done with your research.

Do an Advanced Google Search. Customize by domain name (.org, .edu, .gov, or .com) Also search only for PDFs, Word docs, or powerpoint presentations. This is one of the most underutilized features of Google.

Google Docs. You can use Google docs to collaborate on academic research. Also, if you are working by yourself you can use it to save research, outlines, brainstorming, or contact information. Think about it like your second brain.

You can also use Google docs for business research or statistical and market research.

Google Wave. In addition to Google docs, Google just launched Google Wave for project management and collaboration. Its like e-mail on steoroids.

Google Options. These are the top level Google services. In addition to Google Options, you may want to look at Google knol, which launched about 12 to 18 months ago or you may prefer to create your own Custom search engine. Creating a custom search engine requires a Google account.

Google Labs. You can find other intestesting Google toys at Google labs.

Google Reader. Find useful blogs on your generic topic in Alltop.com (or doing natural searches) and add them to an RSS reader in your Google reader. You can also do a Google blog search to narrow your results to just blog content.

Do you have any suggestions for advanced academic research with Google?