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

    4. Example: #2 and #3

  4. Click 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 SEARCH.

Displaying Search Results

  1. Use the SCROLL BAR or PREVIOUS and NEXT to move through records.
  2. Click 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 VIEW RECORD to see the full record.
  4. Click 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 UPDATE MARKED LIST when finished selecting items.

Downloading Search Results

  1. Click SAVE, PRINT, EMAIL.
  2. Select the format from the SHORT FORMAT drop down menu.
  3. Click SAVE.
  4. Click 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 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 EMAIL.

Setting up RSS & Alerts

RSS & Alert Guides: CSA

Beginning a New Search, Exiting, and Getting Help

Beginning a New Search

  1. Click ADVANCED SEARCH.

Exiting

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

Getting Help

  • Click 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
  • Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals
  • Bibliography of the History of Art
  • Biotechnology and Bioengineering Abstracts
  • Communication Abstracts
  • Computer & Information Systems Abstracts
  • Conference Papers Index
  • Criminal Justice Abstracts
  • CSA Technology Research Database
    • CSA Engineering Research Database
      • ANTE: Abstracts in New Technologies and Engineering
      • Civil Engineering Abstracts
      • Mechanical & Transportation Engineering Abstracts
    • CSA High Technology Research Database with Aerospace
      • Electronics and Communications Abstracts 
      • Solid State and Superconductivity Abstracts 
    • CSA Materials Research Database with METADEX
      • Aluminum Industry Abstracts
      • Copper Data Center
      • Corrosion Abstracts
      • Ceramic Abstracts/World Ceramics Abstracts
      • Engineered Materials Abstracts Search
        • Advanced Polymers Abstracts
        • Composites Industry Abstracts
      • Materials Business File
      • METADEX
      • WELDASEARCH
  • DAAI (Design and Applied Arts Index)
  • Design Abstracts Retrospective
  • Earthquake Engineering Abstracts
  • EconLit
  • Environmental Sciences and Pollution Management
    • 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
    • Human Population & Natural Resource Management 
    • Industrial and Applied Microbiology Abstracts (Microbiology A)
    • Pollution Abstracts
    • Risk Abstracts
    • Sustainability Science Abstracts
    • Toxicology Abstracts
    • Water Resources Abstracts
  • ERIC
  • FRANCIS: (Bibliographic: French oriented)
  • GeoRef (Geology)
  • Health and Safety Science Abstracts
  • LLBA (Linguists and Language Behavior Abstracts)
  • Meteorological and Geoastrophysical Abstracts
  • NTIS (National Technical Information Service)
  • Oceanic Abstracts
  • Philosopher's Index
  • Sociological Abstracts
  • Worldwide Political Science Abstracts