Nowadays, research is no longer limited to library books or old notes. The digital age has made research and study easier than ever for students. While Google Scholar is the most widely used platform for research, there are many other tools and websites that can further strengthen students’ studies and projects.
In this blog, we will tell you about 10 essential research tools that every student should use in addition to Google Scholar.
Microsoft Academic – A Smart Alternative to Research Papers
Microsoft Academic is often considered a direct alternative to Google Scholar. It offers millions of research papers, journals, and theses. Its unique feature is that it is AI-based and provides innovative suggestions related to your search topic.
This tool provides accurate and diverse results for students’ research.
The user interface is quite simple, making it easy for even new students to navigate.
If a student is looking for alternatives to Google Scholar, this could be a great place to start.
JSTOR – A treasure trove of academic journals and past research
JSTOR is a platform that is especially useful for students in the humanities, arts, and social sciences.
It contains thousands of research papers, past articles, and academic journals.
The advantage is that you can easily access historical and reference-based content.
Although a subscription may be required to fully utilize it, many universities provide free access to JSTOR for their students.
ResearchGate – A Social Network for Researchers
ResearchGate is also known as the “Facebook of Researchers.”
Researchers from around the world share their work here.
You can ask questions directly to a professor or researcher and read their published papers.
It is an excellent tool for students who want both networking and guidance during their research.
Academia.edu – A Shared Platform for Students and Teachers
Academia.edu is also a popular platform where millions of researchers and teachers publish their research.
The advantage of this is that you can connect directly with an author.
It also provides notifications of new articles based on your research topic.
Students can learn about new research trends related to their subject here.
Semantic Scholar – The Power of Artificial Intelligence
Semantic Scholar is an AI-based research tool that presents journals and articles with intelligent filtering.
It removes irrelevant content from your search topic and displays only relevant content.
It has a “Citation Influence” feature, which allows you to determine the impact of a research paper.
This tool is especially useful for technical and science students.
ERIC (Education Resources Information Center) – The largest database in the education sector
ERIC is an invaluable resource, especially for researchers in the field of education and teaching.
It contains thousands of articles, reports, and case studies.
It is free and open-access.
If a student is researching education, psychology, or pedagogy, this is the most reliable platform.
Mendeley – Research Management and Reference Tool
Mendeley is not just a research platform, it is also a reference management tool.
You can save all your research papers in it.
It allows you to create automatic references and bibliographies.
This saves students a lot of time when writing research papers and prevents mistakes in referencing.
PubMed – A paradise for medical and life sciences students
PubMed is specifically designed for students in the medical and biological sciences.
It contains millions of publications and journals.
It is considered the most reliable source for health, medicine, and clinical research.
If a student is a doctor or medical researcher, PubMed should be their first choice.
IEEE Xplore – For Engineering and Technology Students
IEEE Xplore is a platform that provides research papers related to engineering, IT, and technology.
It contains thousands of conference papers and technical journals.
It connects technology students with the latest innovations and research.
Although it is not free, many universities provide free access to it to their students.
Zotero – A tool for organizing research
Zotero is a free tool that allows students to collect, organize, and share research materials.
It generates automatic citations.
You can sync your research across different devices.
This is especially useful for students working on large projects or theses.
Conclusion
Research is no longer solely dependent on Google Scholar. Today, there are many platforms and tools available that can make student learning easier, faster, and more organized. Whether you’re a medical student, an engineering student, or someone in the arts and education field, choosing the right tool is crucial.