Google Scholar, a specialised search engine for academic research, is an invaluable tool for hospitality and tourism students seeking to explore the vast landscape of research, trends, and innovations in their field. By indexing scholarly literature across various disciplines, including hospitality, tourism, business, economics, and social sciences, Google Scholar allows you to discover relevant research articles, case studies, industry reports, conference papers, and other scholarly materials.
How Google Scholar Enhances Research in Hospitality and Tourism:
- Interdisciplinary Exploration: Google Scholar's broad scope enables you to explore hospitality and tourism research from an interdisciplinary perspective, uncovering connections with fields like marketing, psychology, sustainability, and cultural studies. This can enrich your understanding of complex industry trends and challenges.
- Discovering Diverse Perspectives: Google Scholar can lead you to a wide range of perspectives and approaches within the hospitality and tourism field, exposing you to diverse voices and debates. This can help you develop a more nuanced understanding of industry issues and challenge your own assumptions.
- Uncovering Industry Trends and Innovations: Google Scholar can surface cutting-edge research, case studies, and reports on emerging trends and innovations in hospitality and tourism. This can help you stay ahead of the curve and identify potential areas for your own research or career development.
- Citation Tracking: Google Scholar's citation tracking feature allows you to explore the scholarly conversations surrounding specific topics or research within the hospitality and tourism field. This can help you identify influential authors, publications, and trends.
Important Considerations When Using Google Scholar:
- Pre-print Versions: Be aware that some versions of papers found on Google Scholar may be pre-prints, which are early versions of articles that have not yet undergone peer review. Always verify that you are accessing the final, published version of an article for the most accurate and reliable information.
- Paywalls: Some articles found on Google Scholar may be behind paywalls, meaning you may need to pay a fee or have a subscription to access the full text. This is where Lean Library comes in handy!
Lean Library: Your Gateway to Full-Text Access
To enhance your Google Scholar experience and overcome paywall barriers, the library provides Lean Library, a browser extension that seamlessly integrates with Google Scholar. It indicates whether the University of Derby provides access to the full text of the articles you find, and if so, provides a direct link to access the article through the library's subscriptions. This streamlines your research process and ensures you can access the hospitality and tourism resources you need without incurring additional costs.
Comparing Google Scholar and Library Search:
While both Google Scholar and Library Search offer access to scholarly literature, they have distinct advantages for hospitality and tourism students:
- Library Search: Provides a curated collection of resources specifically tailored to the needs of hospitality and tourism students and researchers. It includes specialised databases like Hospitality and Tourism Index, which offer a wealth of industry-specific information, market trends, and academic research.
- Google Scholar: Offers a broader scope, potentially uncovering lesser-known or interdisciplinary sources. When combined with Lean Library, it provides a streamlined way to access full-text articles available through the university.
Optimising Your Research Strategy:
For the most effective research in hospitality and tourism, it's recommended to use both Google Scholar (with Lean Library) and Library Search, along with specialised databases like Hospitality and Tourism Index. This multifaceted approach ensures you have access to the widest possible range of resources, combining the strengths of each platform to uncover the most relevant and informative sources for your research and studies.
