Google Scholar vs. Madonna Library Subscription Databases

Google Scholar is fast, easy to use, and a simple search can lead to hundreds of scholarly articles within seconds. However, there are many Library subscription databases that are more relevant and comprehensive for your research topic.

Consider these factors when searching Google Scholar:

Access = $$$
Links for thousands of articles indexed in Google Scholar go to publishers' Web sites, where access requires a subscriber's login or an access fee ($30-45).

Madonna University Library has already paid!
Many of these same articles are available to you without additional fees, since the library has paid for the subscription.  Look for Full-Text @ Madonna Library in the Google Scholar search results for access to Madonna subscriptions (Madonna password required).

Limited search strategies
Google Scholar, even in the advanced search mode, lacks certain features that are specifically designed for searching given disciplines. Comprehensive, highly developed subject databases are a much better choice when you need both reliable access and sophisticated search techniques.

Document hunting time
Google Scholar may offer 5 or more versions of the same article, depending on which server provides access (the publisher, the author's Web site, another indexing service, a secondary archive, etc.), consuming your limited research time.  Library research databases quickly provide a quality copy, often in both HTML and PDF formats.

Fast link to open access articles

Google Scholar is often the fastest method of linking to an open access article (one accessible to anyone, without a subscription), since it can crawl multiple open access repositories with one search.

A starting point
Google Scholar may be an acceptable starting point for research.  Recognize, however, that you are missing a lot - perhaps the key paper that will be your best resource, if you rely solely on Google Scholar.

Play the field

In fact, relying exclusively on any single source is not recommended. Rigorous academic research requires thorough searching across databases, varying your search strategy to include synonyms and alternate spellings of keywords, utilizing appropriate subject headings supplied by the database, and understanding the breadth and depth of literature indexed by each database. The Library's databases have been carefully selected to provide comprehensive, retrospective and timely access to scholarly literature.

Best bet:  Library subscription databases

The Library's research databases are your best sources.  Madonna Library databases are all accessible at http://ww3.madonna.edu/library/matrix2.htm.

Help, I still can’t find the full-text article!

We can get it for you through interlibrary loan at http://ww3.madonna.edu/library/Library%20Services/articlerequestform2.htm

Adapted from Oberlin College Science Library

3/11/2008