On Oct 24, I had the privilege of visiting Southern Health and going to Carmen. While there I was asked to speak about MHIKNET Library Services and how to access them to a wonderful group of educators. We god side tracked a little after the presentation and I think an even bigger hit was the impromptu "Google Tips & Tricks" mini-session I was asked to do. So if the furious note taking was any indication ... perhaps you will find these useful too!
Things to keep in mind
* Google is all about making money; what floats to the top of the search results should be an indication of this
* Don't ask Google your question (e.g. "What are the most recent statistics available on Canadians with Diabetes?"). Ask Google for your answer (e.g. Canada Diabetes statistics 2013).
* Use the language you need to find in your results (e.g. neoplasms vs. cancer)
Tips
* Search for a phrase using quotation marks. (e.g. "multiple sclerosis")
* Search for a specific type of file. (e.g. filetype:pdf or filetype:ppt) (pdf stands for portable document format and is commonly used by publishers; ppt stands for PowerPoint)
* Search within a favorite site for something you KNOW is there (e.g. site:gc.ca or site:umanitoba.ca) (gc.ca is the Government of Canada)
* Or similar concepts together using the | [pipe symbol]. (e.g. table|figure|data|statistics)
Test it out for yourself!
Try copying & pasting or typing in the following two examples and compare the difference in results.
Example 1: What are the most recent statistics available on Canadians with Diabetes? Example 2: canada|manitoba diabetes statistics|data|table|figure filetype:pdf 2013 Example 3: site:gc.ca diabetes statistics|data|table|figure filetype:pdf
Tricks
Want to play around a little bit? Check out these hidden Google tricks. http://bit.ly/1hGe25f
Interested in having us to a session for you? Let us know.
Sincerely, Carol
-- Carol A. Cooke Acting MHIKNET Librarian Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library University of Manitoba e. carol.cooke@umanitoba.camailto:carol.cooke@umanitoba.ca p. 204-977-5660 c. 204-290-6710 w. http://mhiknet.lib.umanitoba.ca/