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PolyU Library

InfoLit for Study and Career

Discover, evaluate, and connect to succeed in university study and future career.

Leverage the Best of Both Worlds: Google & Library OneSearch

Today, everyone is familiar with using search engines. They are convenient, user-friendly, and deliver thousands of results instantly. However, many undergraduates assume they don't need to learn how to search for information specifically for university studies. Consequently, some believe that internet search engines can replace library discovery services. It depends on the type of information you need. You'll learn more about this in discipline-specific scenarios.

But first, let's explore the characteristics of two essential information sources that university students should use wisely: Google and library search tools.

Google Search

 

Library Search

No one can deny the convenience and significance of general search engines like Google in the research process. However, university research requires more than just these tools. Recall the various types of information discussed in the previous section—some of them are crucial to your research efforts.