searching the library databases a step-by-step guide

SEARCHING THE LIBRARY DATABASES

A step-by-step guide

Objectives of this guide

• To illustrate step-by-step how to search for information from the databases the library subscribes to

• To supplement and complement the training offered on e-resources

Launching your search

• Go to the “Google Scholar” website• Googlescholar acts as a springboard for your

research• It saves you time as it will direct you to the

database the library subscribes to for the search you have made

http://scholar.google.co.za1st search option

Enter your search here

results

Double click on the selected title to open the article

You are redirected to Sciencedirect, a database the library subscribes to

• To open the document, click on PDF

Your document

Options

• Print the document• Email • Save to “my sciencedirect”• Save to my documents• Save to a device (USB, CD)• Or open PDF version, and• Perform one of the above options

2nd option: Search the databases directly

• Launch the Internet browser• Log on to the UNIVEN website

Log on to Univen Library Website

Click on databases

Databases the library subscribes to

Choose a database

Ebsco-host search screen

First step after log on register/sign-in to “my ebscohost”

Benefits of signing in to”my ebscohost”

• You can save searches for future review• You can retrieve previously stored information• You can make folders of your search topics for

future retrieval• You can requests alerts for information

concerning your topic when such becomes available

Select relevant databases

• The library subscribes to ten databases covering a variety of subjects

• Some are subject-specific (e.g. Medline for health sciences) and some are multidisciplinary (e.g. Academic Search Premier)

• NB: coverage is fully explained in the hyperlink under the database name under “more information”

Check the boxes of databases you want to search

Next click “continue”

Enter your search term here

Take note of the ff

• Search mode• Apply related words (check the box to retrieve

more information)• Limit your results (select either full text or

peer reviewed)• Specify publication dates (e.g ranging from

2000-2010)

Click on search

Your search results

Sort options for your results

• Date descending;• Date ascending;• Author• Source• RelevanceNB: select one option (depending on your

needs; but usually relevance is preferred)

What to do with the results

• Click on the title to read the abstract• Click on folder to send the article to your

folders (only if you signed in to “my Ebscohost)

• Open the full text document• Print• Email to your own address or to others

Drop-down menu for sorting results

To open the full text click here

Full text document

What to do with the full-text document

• Print• Save to “my documents”• Save to a folder• Save to a saving device (e.g. USB, CD)• Send to an email address

Take note of the following

• The above search steps can be used to search all databases across the board

• The search screens may be a little different but basically most features are the same

Need more information?

• Contact any librarian for clarity if you still need help

Take a quizTick either true (T) or False (F) • A search should ideally be launched using

‘google.scholar’ (T / F)• E-journals are either general or discipline-specific (T / F)• Retrieved documents can be saved on the database for

future use if you sign in to “My Sciencedirect; My Ebscohost, etc” (T / F)

• Search strategies are applicable to all the databases (T / F)

End of tutorial!