Journalism: Google Tips

Google is the largest search engine.  Approximately 70% of web users use Google to search.  How do you search Google? 

Try going beyond the search box.  Use the Google Advanced Search.

This infographic from elearninginfographics.com includes many quick tricks to searching Google more effectively. 

use Google to limit your search (search within) a specific website by entering [site:url].  Examples:

• haiti AND "new media" AND site:.edu
• health AND africa AND site:pewinternet.org
• belize AND "new media" AND  site:.gov

Want to publish an image that you find online in your own work?  Make sure that you find an image that can be reused for free. 

In Google Images, do an Advanced Image Search and in the "Usage Rights" section, limit to "Only images labeled for reuse".

Also try searching flickr: Creative Commons.

Always attribute the image to the original creator. 

use Google Scholar to find journal articles, conference papers, theses & dissertations, academic websites and more in all subjects.  Be sure to set your Google Scholar Settings by clicking on the button near the top right corner of the screen.  Select Library Links on the left and make sure "University of Washington Libraries - Check for Full-Text @ UW" is checked.  You may also want to add "Open WorldCat - Library Search" and "Seattle Public Library - Full-Text@Seattle Library " if you have an SPL library card.

Use the Bibliography Manager to export your citations to RefWorks, EndNote, Bib Tex, Refman, or WenXianWang

Try an advanced scholar search for more control over your search results.  To access the advanced search screen, click on the arrow in the Scholar search box:  

Try Google News.  Use the "Personalize Google News" section to select the subjects of the news that you see. 

Use the Advanced Personalize Google News option to select your local news - enter your city, state, or zip code.