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Social Sciences - Research Skills - Intermediate

In this course you will learn how to determine your need for information; find information effectively and efficiently; check information carefully; process and save information.

How can I search with Google efficiently?

Some tips on how to search more quickly and efficiently with Google:

  • Never search with just one keyword, try always to make combinations of words to narrow your search.
  • Use Boolean operators or Google Advanced Search to specify your search query.
  • Use quotation marks when you want to find an exact phrase or a set of words together.
    Examples: “faculty of Social Sciences” or “internet explorer”
  • Use the document extension (pdf, doc, xls, flash) in your search query to find specific document types. Example: annual report Unesco filetype:pdf
  • Use a specific website address to find information from a specific website: “site:[fill web address]”
    Example: you want to find the course timetables of the faculty of Social Sciences. Type: timetables social sciences site:www.vu.nl.
  • Use a minus (-) sign to exclude a word from your search results.
    Example: jaguar -car
  • More tips ons Google support: link