Help for E-Resources/Article Databases

Ask a Librarian

Searching

  1. Select database from the UW-Madison Libraries Web site.
  2. Click in the search box. Type in a word or phrase.
  3. Click on GO or press ENTER.

Combining Terms

Click ADVANCED SEARCH to combine terms.

Use the WITH ANY OF THESE WORDS search box to search for similar terms. Searching in this box broadens your search.

Example: gymnastics acrobatics

Use the WITH ALL OF THESE WORDS search box to connect separate concepts. Searching in this box narrows your search.

Example: cheese wisconsin

Truncating Terms

The database automatically searches for the simple plural of a term.

Example: terrier*  (retrieves terrier, terriers)

Click box next to NOT SURE OF SPELLING to retrieve alternate forms of a word.

Example: gymnast*  (retrieves gymnast, gymnasts gymnastics)

Proximity Searching

Click ADVANCED SEARCH to do proximity searching.

Use the WITH THE EXACT PHRASE search box to search for terms next to each other in that order.

Example: internet policy  (retrieves internet policy)

Use the WITH THESE WORDS NEAR EACH OTHER search box to search for terms near each other in any order.

Example: internet policy  (retrieves internet policy, policy on the internet, internet office policy)

Combining Search Sets

Not Available

Displaying Search Results

Article titles and the first few sentences of articles are automatically displayed. Articles are sorted by relevance.

  1. Move through records on the page.
  2. Click NEXT PAGE to display more records.
  3. Click title of article to view.
    (Optional) While viewing article, click on underlined words in the text to view more information on the topic.
    Note: Navigate within long articles by clicking in Table of Contents at left side of screen or by clicking arrow buttons to move through pages of the article.

Saving Search Results

Saving An Article

  1. Click PRINT ARTICLE at the top of the article. A printer-friendly version of the article will appear.
    (Optional) If only a portion of the article is needed, use PREVIOUS and/or NEXT to locate the desired section and then click on PRINT PAGE to print a single page of the encyclopedia entry.
  2. Use the browser save function.
    Note: Save file as type Web Page.
  3. Click browser's BACK button to return to article.

Emailing Search Results

Emailing An Article

  1. Click on E-MAIL ARTICLE at the top of the article.
  2. Type your email address in the SEND TO box.
    (Optional) Fill in the other boxes.
  3. Click on SUBMIT.

Beginning a New Search, Getting Help, and Exiting

Beginning a New Search

  1. Click in the search box at the top of the screen.
  2. Type in a word or phrase.
  3. Click on GO or press ENTER. .

Getting Help

  1. Click HELP for on-screen help.

For further assistance, consult library staff.

Exiting

  1. Close the browser window .

Databases Covered by this Guide

  • Encyclopedia Britannica Online

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