Internet search engines allow you to search for and retrieve academic/scholarly and non-scholarly information within the Internet. It is important to conduct scholarly searches on the Internet if the materials are used for academic and educational purposes. See example on how to use Google.com.

Please note that there are several Internet search engines.  To retrieve other search engines, type "search engines" in the Google (opens in new window) search box.

Google (opens in new window) is one of the most popular Internet search engines. If you go Googling, here are some tips on how to search Google to retrieve academic, scholarly, reliable, and useful materials. Contact the library if you have further questions.

Using Google Scholar

1. Go to Google Scholar (opens in new window).

2. Type your topic in the search box. Click on the drop down menu on the right side of the search box for more search features such as date range, and then click on the "Search" button.

Using Google Advanced Search Features

1.  Go to Google (opens in new window).

2.  Scroll down to the bottom right corner of the page and click on "Settings" and then click on "Advanced Search."

3.  Type your topic or keywords in the search box. Add other search features, terms, or keywords as needed using the drop down feature on the search boxes.

4.  Scroll down the page to the "Site or Domain" search box. Type .edu (for educational sites) or .gov (for government sites) in the search box.

5.  Click on the "File Type" drop down menu and select the file format you prefer - Pdf (Pdf file), Doc (Word Document), xls (Excel), ppt (PowerPoint), etc.

6.  Click the "Advanced Search" button to execute your search.

Evaluating Sources

The following video explains how to critically evaluate any resource by using the C.R.A.A.P. test.

Western University. (2012, January). Evaluating Sources. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyMT08mD7Ds&feature=youtu.be

If the above video doesn't work, copy and paste the following into your browser: https://youtu.be/EyMT08mD7Ds

The C.R.A.A.P. Test is a list of questions you should consider when you are assessing a website.

Currency - The timeliness of the information

• When was the information published or posted?
• Has the information been revised or updated?
• Does your topic require current information, or will older sources work?
• Are the links functional?

Relevance - The importance of the information for your needs

• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the information at an appropriate level?
• Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining that you will use this one?

Authority - The source of the information

• Who is the author, publisher, source, or sponsor?
• What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?
• Is the author qualified to write on the topic?
• Is there contact information such as a publisher or e-mail address?

Accuracy - The reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content

• Where does the information come from?
• Is the information supported by evidence?
• Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
• Does the language seem unbiased and free of emotion?

Purpose - The reason the information exists

• What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, to teach, to sell, to entertain?
• Do the authors or sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
• Is the information fact, opinion, or propaganda?
• Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?

Source of Information: Meriam Library at California State University, Chico website