searching the library databases a step-by-step guide
TRANSCRIPT
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!