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Google, Lib­search or on­line re­sources?

Where should you be­gin your search? What can you find where? Learn when to choose Google, the lib­rary’s own Lib­search or the on­line re­sources we sub­scribe to.

Learning
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CBS Li­brary & Aca­de­mic Ser­vi­ces

Where should you start?

Use Lib­search when

  1. you know exactly which book or article you are looking for
     
  2. you are searching for both print and online materials available through the library
     
  3. you want to search broadly across academic subjects

Use on­line re­sources when

  1. you are searching for market data, statistics, company key figures, legal sources, news media and more
     
  2. you need to work in depth with data
     
  3. you want to create literature reviews

Online resources cover many different types of material, and we provide access to more than 100 subscription-based online resources.

Use Google when

  1. you are looking for up-to-date information, definitions and news
     
  2. you are searching for reports from authorities, ministries or organisations
     
  3. you need information about people and events

Use Google Schol­ar when

  1. you are at the beginning of your research and need an initial overview
     
  2. you need to explore a new topic
     
  3. you want to see quickly whether an article is highly cited
     

Libsearch 

Libsearch is the library’s own search system and your entry point to both online resources and physical materials such as books, reports and articles.

Advantages

  • Everything is collected in one place
  • You can access all e-books, journal articles and printed books the library subscribes to
  • The material is quality assured and relevant to your studies
  • You can filter by subject, type or date and check whether something is available online or on the shelf

Disadvantages

  • If you are used to Google’s instant answers, Libsearch may feel a bit slower
  • You sometimes need to try several keyword combinations to get a precise result

When should you choose Libsearch?

  • When you need literature for your curriculum
  • When you need a solid introduction to a topic
  • When you want to be confident that your sources are reliable

In short, Libsearch gives you both breadth and depth in your research – all in one place.
Try starting your next assignment with a Libsearch query and filter by Books or Peer Reviewed.

Online resources

The library gives you access to more than 150 subscription-based resources, including peer reviewed research, legal sources, statistics, company data and much more.

Advantages

  • You get access to research that strengthens your arguments in assignments and projects
  • You can specify your searches by author, year, subject or journal
  • Many resources specialise in business, economics or finance, reducing noise in your results
  • Company data, market reports and statistics are often only available through specialised resources

Disadvantages

  • Online resources can feel overwhelming the first time you use them
  • They do not give you a quick overview, but the quality makes up for it

When should you choose online resources?

Use online resources when you need trustworthy sources for assignments. You get research-based knowledge and primary data to strengthen your argumentation. You can start with Google or Google Scholar for inspiration, but move to the resources to find sources you can rely on.

  • When you need academic-level sources
  • When you need market data, key figures, legal sources etc.
  • When you write about for example ESG, financial markets or consumer behaviour

In short, online resources are your shortcut to quality-assured knowledge that lifts your assignments.

Google

It is perfectly fine to use Google – librarians do it too. Google can be helpful in your research depending on how you use it.

Advantages

  • It is fast and easy, and covers a huge range of material and topics
  • You can find everything from news articles and reports to company websites

Disadvantages

  • Google does not show whether a source is reliable
  • The top results are not necessarily the best
  • Much academic research is behind paywalls and will not appear in your search

When should you choose Google?

  • When you want a broader context for a topic
  • When you need examples or quick introductions
  • Not when you are writing an academic assignment that requires research-based sources

Use Google as a starting point, then move on to Libsearch or online resources.
In short, Google gives you material you cannot find elsewhere, but you should always combine it with other sources.

Google Scholar

Google Scholar is a popular search engine for academic literature and a useful place to start your research. In the settings, you can choose to display links to everything the library provides access to.

Advantages

  • It is free and quick
  • You get a clear overview of research within your topic
  • You can see how often an article is cited and how influential it is
  • A special search function lets you filter for articles that cite a particular piece of work

Disadvantages

  • Scholar does not contain everything, and you may miss important articles behind paywalls

When should you choose Google Scholar?

  • When you need a fast overview of the research field
  • When you need inspiration for keywords or related articles
  • When you want to check whether you can access the full text via CBS Library

Use Google Scholar as a supplement to other systems such as Business Source Ultimate or Scopus, which often deliver more precise results for business research.

In short, Google Scholar is quick and helpful for getting an overview, but you should always combine it with other sources.
Find an article in Scholar, then check whether you can download it through the library’s licences.
How to get articles in Google Scholar