What is the optimum way to use the Google search tool for research? 
I'm very familiar with all of the basic queries one can run through
Google.  I'm interested in learning how power user's employ this
powerful search tool.

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Request for Question Clarification by politicalguru-ga on 02 Oct 2004 12:25 PDT

JFH, 

There are several ways in which Google could be applied for Research.
Is there any particualr type of research you're interested in?

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Clarification of Question by jfh3-ga on 02 Oct 2004 19:47 PDT

politicalguru -

I'm sort of a renaissance man when it comes to things that I'm
interested in.  I'm just interested in getting the most of Google for
research purposes (i.e. Power research tips and tricks).

Thanks.

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 02 Oct 2004 20:10 PDT

Mr. Renaissance Man,

The best power searching guide I know of for starters, is the Google Pocket Guide:


http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/googlepg/


This was written by Tara Calishain, who is a well-known and
well-regarded searching whiz.  There are several excerpts from the
book available at the above site.

For super-strength power searching -- including tricks relying on API
programming -- you can check out Tara's more comprehensive bible on
Google, called Google Hacks:

http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/googlehks/


Are these the types of resources you're looking for...?

JFH3 --

Pafalafa's suggested one of the best detailed sources for information
on using the Google search engine.  The best that you're likely to get
from researchers is some tips of ways to coax information out on a
subject.

This researcher is aware of how much information sits outside the
purview of normal search engines, in what UCal Berkeley calls the
"deep web":
"How Much Information"
http://www.sims.berkeley.edu/research/projects/how-much-info-2003/internet.htm

My first recommendation would be to local a domain relevant to your
search, then do a site: search using Google's advanced search
capabilities.

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA

Dear JFH, 

This is a good guide on researching African Studies through Google
(that can be effectively used also for other fields), despite the fact
that it criticises Google Answers ;-)

Hans M. Zell, 2004. "Using Google for African Studies Research",
<http://www.hanszell.co.uk/google/>