When you are studying at UNISA, you will have to access academic text for your research when you are given assignments. This will apply more often the further you take your studies.
Google Scholar is an excellent way to ensure you are getting reliable source material, and to ensure the information you are receiving is correct.
How Do I Enable Google Scholar?
You can easily enable Google Scholar one of two ways:
- Search Google Scholar without creating an account
- Create a Google Scholar account
Search Google Scholar Without Creating An Account
To do this, all you need to do is search “Google Scholar” in your browser, or follow a direct link to Google Scholar. This will open Google Scholar, and you can immediately start using the search engine.
However, note that you will be unable to access any paid texts without creating an account. To pay for a text, you will have to create a Google Scholar account for security purposes.
Create A Google Scholar Account
You can also create a Google Scholar account. To do this, go to the Google Scholar homepage. Then follow these easy steps:
- Click on “My Profile” in the top left hand corner
- A Sign-In screen will appear.
If you already have a Google Account, you can sign in to Google Scholar using your Google account. If you do not have a Google Account:
- At the bottom of the sign-in box, there is a “Create account” button, and a “Next” button. Click on “Create Account”
- Enter your personal information (your name, surname, and email address)
- Create a password
You now have a Google Scholar account. You can link any articles you write to your profile, and you can save other texts to your library. You can do this by clicking on the star in the bottom left corner of the search result.
How Do I Use Google Scholar?
You can use Google Scholar search bar the same way you use the regular Google search bar. You can search any academic texts by subject, author, title, or ISBN.
You can also use it to link your own articles to your profile. You can do this by clicking “My Profile” in the top left hand corner. Then add the information such as your profession, professional email address, and the fields you work in or are interested in.
Then, click “Next”. Google Scholar will automatically search your name and the information you entered, and will show results. You can then select the articles you wrote to claim and add them to your profile.
How Do I Search Google Scholar By University?
You can do this by either typing the name of the university into the search bar, or by typing the university website address into the search bar (e.g. unisa.ac.za). This will bring up any articles that are written by UNISA staff, alumni, or postgraduate students.
How Do I Link My University To Google Scholar?
You can add UNISA to Google Scholar by following these easy steps:
- Open Google Scholar
- Click on Settings
- Click on Library Links
- In the search box, type in UNISA and then search
- Tick the Boxes associated with University of South Africa
- Click on Save
Once you have done this, all future search results will have UNISA library links next to articles that UNISA Library subscribes to, including paid articles. You can then click on the UNISA Library link to view the full text without having to pay.
What Is The Difference Between Google Scholar And Google?
Google brings up every possible search result that it has access to, while Google Scholar only brings up academic texts and articles that are from verified and reliable sources.
Is Google Scholar A Credible Source?
Google Scholar is a credible source, but it is not a comprehensive source. There may be other results on Google that have not yet been verified, but could be useful to your research. Google Scholar is excellent for finding academic texts, but should not be the only way you research.
What Have We Learned?
- Using Google Scholar with UNISA is very easy
- You can easily search Google Scholar with or without an account
- Creating a Google Scholar account is quick and easy
- You can easily link your university to your Google Scholar account
- Google Scholar is a credible source, but not a comprehensive source
Written by Chloe Bydawell
Published on 14 September 2022
