Which tool is the best
This is not easy to say. Basically, because you can benefit from all these search tools in different ways.
Library and Google used interchangeably
The truth is that in research, we use Google and the library tools interchangeably. We usually jump from one to the other. Apparently, both Google and your library can help you locate relevant literature on a topic. Google, due to its smart searching, reveals easily relevant sources. However, libraries make these sources available through their databases, their repositories, or their print collections.
Google makes you feel overwhelmed
Using Google exclusively for your research can become overwhelming. Google reveals all sorts of sources. This is why sources should be evaluated in terms of scholarliness and trustworthiness. Since, there aren’t any narrowing down options available, using Google Books and Google Scholar may help you narrow down your search results. However, most sources are not freely available, as publishers enable access restrictions.
Libraries overcome access issues
Libraries overcome access restrictions posed by publishers by:
- subscribing to online databases, which are in agreement with publishers and offer full-text sources to their users.
- participating in sharing resource networks through their document delivery services.
So, using the library’s Discovery and subject guides will offer you immediate access to relevant and credible sources, while Google remains a great index.