# Google Scholar

## Introduction

[Google Scholar](http://scholar.google.com/) is a free search tool that specializes in locating scholarly materials (e.g. academic journal articles) across many disciplines. Not everything you find on Google Scholar is peer-reviewed.

Abstracts are freely available for most of the articles. Alas, reading the entire article may require a subscription. Here're a few things to try:

* click a link labeled \[PDF] to the right of the search result
* click "All versions" under the search result and check out the alternative sources
* click "Related articles" or "Cited by" under the search result to explore similar

## Google Scholar PDF Reader

[Chrome extension link](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/google-scholar-pdf-reader/dahenjhkoodjbpjheillcadbppiidmhp?utm_medium=blog\&utm_source=scholar.googleblog.com\&utm_campaign=launch)

[Google PDF Reader to Supercharge Your Paper Reading](https://library.hkust.edu.hk/sc/google-pdf-reader-on-chrome/)

[New AI Outline Feature in Google Scholar PDF Reader](https://library.hkust.edu.hk/sc/google-pdf-reader-on-chrome-ai-outline/)

But do not use the built-in citation generator!

## **How to search in Google Scholar?**

### **Breaking down the Search Results**

<figure><img src="https://spubl.pl/web/uploads/global/google-scholar-bibliograph-screen1%20%281%29.jpg" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://spubl.pl/web/uploads/global/google-scholar-bibliograph-screen2%20%281%29.jpg" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
If you're not sure what keywords to use when searching for information on a topic, try using an AI tool to suggest some for you. Copy the prompt below:
{% endhint %}

{% code overflow="wrap" %}

```
I'm writing an essay on [topic]. Please suggest some keywords that I could use in my search.
```

{% endcode %}

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esuRxK44d00>" %}
Google Scholar
{% endembed %}


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://library.vsa.edu.hk/vsalibrary/elibrary/databases/google-scholar.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.