Help for E-Resources/Article Databases

Ask a Librarian

« Return to List of Quick Guides

Searching

  1. Select database from the UW-Madison Libraries Web site.
  2. Click in a search box and type a word or phrase.
    (Optional) Select a field from the ANYWHERE drop down menu.
  3. Click on SEARCH.

Combining Terms

Use OR to connect similar terms. OR broadens your search.

Example: adhesion or bonding

Use AND to connect separate concepts. AND narrows your search.

Example: friction and composite

You can use OR or AND within a search box.

Combining Search Sets

  1. Click on SEARCH TOOLS.
  2. Click on HISTORY/COMBINE SEARCHES.
  3. Enter the search set numbers preceded by # from the previous searches.

    4. Example: #2 and #3

  4. Click on COMBINE.

Truncating Terms

Use * to replace one or more characters at the end of a search term.

Example: composit* (retrieves composite, composites, composition)

Use ? to replace one character.

Example: carbon fib?? (retrieves carbon fiber, carbon fibre)

Proximity Searching

Use within # to find terms within a specified number (#) of words of each other regardless of their order.

Example: robot within 5 control

Author Searching

  1. Type author's last name and initial(s).

    2. Example: worzala f j

  2. Select AUTHOR from the drop-down menu.
  3. Click on SEARCH.

Journal Title Searching

  1. Type a journal title or part of a journal title.
  2. Select SOURCE from the drop-down menu.
    (Optional) Limit your search by publication year.
  3. Click on SEARCH.

Displaying Search Results

  1. Use the SCROLL BAR or PREVIOUS and NEXT to move through records.
  2. Click on PUBLICATION TYPE tabs to see records by type of publication.
    (Optional) Click on the plus sign after the total number of results to see the number of results from each subfile.
  3. Click on VIEW RECORD to see the full record.
  4. Click on FIND IT to locate the item electronically or in print on campus, or to request document delivery.

Selecting Records

  1. Click in the box to the left of the record for later printing, downloading or emailing.
  2. Click on UPDATE MARKED LIST when finished selecting items.

Downloading Search Results

  1. Click on SAVE, PRINT, EMAIL.
  2. Select the format from the SHORT FORMAT drop down menu.
  3. Click on SAVE.
  4. Click on SAVE.
  5. Type the filename, and the extension in the FILE NAME box.
    6. Example: getfile.txt
  6. Click SAVE.

Emailing Search Results

  1. Click on SAVE, PRINT, EMAIL.
  2. Select the format from the SHORT FORMAT drop down menu.
  3. Enter the email address in both TO and FROM.
  4. Click on EMAIL.

Setting up RSS & Alerts

RSS & Alert Guides: CSA

Beginning a New Search, Exiting, and Getting Help

Beginning a New Search

  1. Click on ADVANCED SEARCH.

Exiting

  1. Click on University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries link at the top of the screen to return to the UW-Madison Libraries Web site.

Getting Help

  • Click on HELP for on-screen help.
  • I icons (blue) provide help on a specific topic.

For further assistance, consult library staff.

Databases Covered by This Guide

  • ARTbibliographies Modern
  • ASFA: Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts
  • ATLA Religion Database
  • Bibliography of the History of Art
  • Biotechnology and Bioengineering Abstracts
  • Communication Abstracts
  • DAAI (Design and Applied Arts Index)
  • EconLIT
  • Environmental Sciences and Pollution Mgmt
    • Agricultural and Environmental Biotechnology Abstracts
    • ASFA 3: Aquatic Pollution and Environmental Quality
    • Bacteriology Abstracts (Microbiology B)
    • Ecology Abstracts
    • EIS: Digests of Environmental Impact Statement
    • Environmental Engineering Abstracts
    • Health and Safety Science Abstracts
    • Industrial and Applied Microbiology Abstracts (Microbiology A)
    • Pollution Abstracts
    • Risk Abstracts
    • Toxicology Abstracts
    • Water Resources Abstracts
  • CSA Technology Research Database
    • CSA Engineering Research Database
      • Civil Engineering Abstracts
      • Mechanical & Transportation Engineering Abstracts
    • CSA High Technology Research Database with Aerospace
    • CSA Materials Research Database with METADEX
      • Aluminum Industry Abstracts
      • Copper Data Center
      • Corrosion Abstracts
      • Ceramic Abstracts/World Ceramics Abstracts
      • Engineered Materials Abstracts Search
      • METADEX
      • WELDASEARCH
  • ERIC
  • LLBA (Linguists and Language Behavior Abstracts)
  • Meteorological and Geoastrophysical Abstracts
  • NTIS (National Technical Information Service)
  • Oceanic Abstracts
  • PAIS International
  • Social Services Abstracts
  • Sociological Abstracts