Online Resources Help
It is suggested that patrons generally unfamiliar with online resources look at the Online Resource Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) before going further.
These pages are not intended to be an all-inclusive tutorial, nor are they intended to replace the databases' own help pages. They are just some quick pointers that will help you get started using the databases. Don't forget, too, that you can call the Library (834–2281) during business hours and a reference librarian will be glad to help you.
At the bottom of this page are some General database tips that apply to all databases.
There are also separate help pages for each of the three main database providers, Proquest, Ebsco, and Infotrac/Galenet as they all organize things slightly differently. Note: Infotrac/Galenet is in the process of redesigning their interface. When that is complete we will post a help page for them.The pages have snapshots (with circles and arrows) of the various databases so they may take a little longer to load.
The useful terms page explains terms and concepts like boolean operator, keyword, truncation and more. There is a link from the help page to any item explained on the useful terms page.
General Database Tips
Try keyword search first. This is usually the "basic" search in any database.
Use keywords to find subjects. Subject searches are a great way to find exactly what you want. However, it is hard to figure out what subject words are assigned to a topic. But if a keyword search finds even one useful article, look in the citation for the subject words assigned to that topic.
Use as unique a word as possible. For example, instead of "pelican and brief" try "grisham and pelican" if you want articles about John Grisham's book, The Pelican Brief. However, if you want "Pelican Brief," the 2001 Canadian Geographic magazine article about the closing of the Redberry Pelican Project in Saskatchewan, then by all means try "pelican and brief." However, "redberry and pelican" would be an even better search because you would not get any of the Grisham articles.
Look to see how many results your search returned. "Internet security" should find at least something, so if there are no results maybe you used "Intrenet security" instead.
"And" gives you less while "or" gives you more. A search "internet and security" will give you results that have both words while "internet or security" will give you results that have either word. See Boolean operators.
Check your spelling. In Research Library "ann rice" retrieves 9 articles. However, the correct spelling of Interview with the Vampire's author is "anne rice." That search finds 339 articles.
Start with a wide search. Narrow it down by adding words to the search.
Don't start too wide though. If you are looking for articles on the Microsoft antitrust lawsuit, just entering "microsoft" will give you way too many results. "Microsoft and antitrust and lawsuit" might work better.
Try different combinations of words. If you are looking to buy a washing machine, try "washing machine," "washing machines," "washers," etc.
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