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How to Write a Research Paper

A step-by-step guide to writing a research paper.

Google

When researching at the college level, Google should not be your only source of information.  It's a great starting place, but...

Did you know that only 4% of the information online can be accessed by Google?  4%.  

96% of information on the web cannot be reached by Google.  This information that cannot be accessed by Google is called the deep web.   

ALL of the library's databases fall within the category of deep web information; inaccessible by Google.  

Search the 96%--use library databases.

Google Search Tips

Search Description
Example
   "cost benefit analysis"

Exact phrase search 

  • Glues words together.
  • Searches words exactly as they appear within " ".

"wind energy"

"solar power"

                          +

Include words

  • Type a plus sign before the word or phrase to include.
  • A space must be placed before the plus sign but not after it.
  • Use this operator to include stop words in the results.

 

    propofol +"cost analysis"
                         -

Exclude words

  • Type a minus sign before the word or phrase to exclude.
  • A space must be placed before the minus sign but not after it.

 

    "shale gas"  -marcellus

   "tar sands"  -venezuelan 

                     site:

Restrict search to a domain or website

 

  • Search top level domains such as .edu, .org, .com, .gov, .net

 

Find  cost benefit information about Canadian tar sands:

"tar sands" and "cost  benefit" site:ca

Find government sites with cost benefit information about nuclear power:

"nuclear power" +"cost benefit" site:.gov

Google Books

Use Google Books to search over 40 million books. 

Be aware that there will be different view options. 

If the book is out of copyright or the author/publisher has given permission, the full-text of the book will be provided. 

Limited view provides a limited number of pages for viewing. 

Snippet view provides a few sentences.  No view provides you with just  the citation information.  If you do find a book in Google Books with no view, you can Interlibrary Loan for it.