4 Google Scholar alternatives to find educational material

Google Scholar is generally intended for students or anyone else looking for scientific material. The commonly used search tool is useful for finding educational material. But, you might need more options when looking for a specific topic.

Google Scholar doesn’t have to be the end point of your research. Other search tools may give you more options.

Here, we’ll take a look at four alternative search tools, where you can find articles, textbooks, and other forms of educational material.

Screenshot of Microsoft Academic website

Microsoft Academic is a free research tool created by Microsoft Research. After the disappointing version launched in 2012, Microsoft Academic managed to recover after releasing a second version in 2016. Since then, competition has increased between Google Scholar and Microsoft Academic.

Microsoft Academic works beyond basic keyword research. It uses semantic search tools, which allow you to enjoy better user experience.

Semantic search is a research method that examines more than keywords. It analyzes the meaning of the words and phrases you use, allowing you to search for any journal, topic, author, etc.

Screenshot of Semantic Scholar website

Semantic Scholar was founded by the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence. If you are looking for scientific literature, this search tool is perfect for you. But, Semantic Scholar is not strictly limited to science. Similar to Google Scholar, you can filter your search on a particular date or type of post.

If you’ve ever wondered how AI can help you search better, Semantic Scholar makes your research process easier with machine learning and natural language processing, which gives you the relevant results you need.

Semantic Scholar is particularly useful for saving time. Finding the most relevant information from the vast years of research can be difficult. This tool simplifies the research process by providing a concise summary of the articles on the results page.

Screenshot of Science.gov website

If you are looking for a research tool that provides relevant scientific research, Science.gov is a great choice. The Scientific Search Tool helps you navigate over 60 US government databases, 2,200 websites, and 200 million pages of scientific information.

Science.gov aims to improve technical and scientific knowledge by providing a variety of free resources. You can access manuscripts, reports, journal articles, and research funded and supported by federal agencies free of charge.

The website provides free access to information and you do not need to register to use it. All you have to do is enter a keyword search, and you are good to go.

Related: 10 Best Channels For STEM Education On YouTube

If you are a graduate or undergraduate student, you can find information about federal government opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Screenshot of ResearchGate website

ResearchGate combines a research tool, a networking platform and a social media site. The site is a leading research tool for academic information in the scientific field. With over 135 million pages you can access, you will most likely find relevant educational material for your research.

This research tool not only provides many options for your research, but you can also collaborate with your peers in the scientific community. Plus, you can connect with industry professionals to get a head start in your career.

The alternatives mentioned above are all valuable tools. Some online tools are effective for all areas of research, while other tools have focused on a specific area. By using more than one search engine, you will have more options to choose from, which will help you improve your search.

University search engines aren’t the only tools you can use for your research. While it may seem unusual, you can also use social media platforms for research.


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About Mark A. Tomlin

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