Previously, we have already published many materials revealing the features and functionality of Google Scholar. This article is more of a summary of those published earlier, as today we will look at the practical capabilities of all the features of this platform. The material will be useful for both novice researchers and experienced scientists. Make sure that you use all the features of Google Academy.
1. Create the author’s CV
An author who uses Google Scholar has a unique opportunity to create the most detailed and multi-component authorial CV. For the sake of objectivity, we should also note ORCID and similar platforms. These platforms also can add all of the author's scholarly work, but, unfortunately, such resources do not provide the range of features that we will discuss next.
2. Free access to scientific information
Google Scholar is a free platform that allows scientists to use the materials posted there without any restrictions (within the limits of academic integrity, of course). Not only articles but also conference abstracts, monographs, books, and other types of scientific materials are publicly available.
On the one hand, it opens up new opportunities, but on the other hand, it imposes certain risks. After all, Google Scholar independently selects materials for indexing from those posted in web space. There is virtually no moderation process. Therefore, it is often possible to find "unscientific materials", unreliable sources, etc., within Google Academy. Researchers are recommended to consider this when planning to publish.
3. Track analytics for further use
The future research author can use Google Scholar to conduct an analysis of materials on similar topics by his or her peers. This will allow us to identify unexplored issues, select materials for citations, form a scientific hypothesis, and publish a better work. To form search queries, we recommend using both basic and expanded search types.
4. Create a research team
Google Academy supports author profiles from around the world and is available in many regional languages. Therefore, it is a very valuable resource in the context of finding co-authors both from Kazakhstan and from other countries.
You can explore the profile of a scientist and propose a collaborative project, which will save effort, time, and financial resources for all team members.
5. Properly form a bibliography
When the research is almost done, many authors stumble upon difficulties in correctly forming references and a bibliography. This may well be argued that different journals rely on different styles of citation. Moreover, each style is republished from time to time. The changes may be so insignificant that a researcher may not notice them (transfer of a point, comma, colon, order of mentioning information, and others). Therefore, to avoid such situations, we recommend using automatic bibliography creation.
Google Scholar supports only basic citation styles. Within Scopus, Web of Science, and bibliographic managers there are many more, but the capabilities of Google Academy also act as a good alternative.
6. Track your metrics
Google Scholar provides statistics on scientometric indicators for each author profile. These are the citation index, Hirsch index, and i10-index. The scientist can quickly study the dynamics of their changes and set up the corresponding notifications to e-mail.
7. Improve your authority
The correct configuration of the profile and the quality of its contents already create an image of the scientist as a specialist and makes a positive impression. If it is supplemented by high scientometric values, it is possible to advance in the career much more effectively and productively. This is especially relevant in the context of obtaining funding and grants. Earlier, we reviewed in detail all of the advantages of increasing your scientometric values.
8. Pick a proper scientific magazine
To utilize all available functions when searching for the most suitable magazine, use the following algorithm:
Log into your Google Academy – Go to "Metrics" – then go to "Top publications" – pick the area and sphere of science.
As such, a list of the most suitable magazines with articles published in them will be displayed alongside the two metrics:
- h5 – Hirsch index throughout 5 years.
- h5 median – average citation number throughout 5 years.
9. Keep in touch with the latest scientific trends
Google Scholar can be used to study the most highly cited research, critically evaluate the work of colleagues, find unexplored facts, and use this information in your subsequent research.
Such practice will help you write more relevant and informative research, get top citations, and maybe even make a scientific breakthrough.
10. Find a sponsor for your research
Google Scholar can also be used to search for funding sources. Of course, the list provided by this service is somewhat limited, but for a basic understanding of this issue, it will be very useful. To explore the list of the largest sponsors, you should:
Log in to the platform – go to the "Metrics" tab – open the "Funder" section.
11. Effectively represent your higher education institution or scientific organization
The Google Academy platform can be used to create a profile of a scientific organization or higher education institution. Thus, scientists who are affiliated with these can influence the ranking and scientometric indicators of their place of work within Google Scholar.
This is especially important in a regional and international context
“Scientific Publications” company is happy to help scientists figure out all the functionalities of Google Scholar to use it effectively. Moreover, by choosing the "Google Scholar citation" service you will be able to increase your scientometric indicators more productively in an organic way. We will provide full support and comprehensive analytics for your profile and help you to become more respectable among the international scholarly community.
