Help for E-Resources/Article Databases

Ask a Librarian

« Return to List of Quick Guides

Searching

QUICK SEARCH

  1. Select database from the UW-Madison Libraries Web site.
  2. Click on OK to accept the copyright statement.
  3. If the QUICK SEARCH window doesn't automatically open, click on SEARCH in the CASSI tool bar, then click on QUICK.
  4. Select field from drop-down menu in the SEARCH IN FIELD box.
  5. Type term or phrase in SEARCH FOR box.

    Example: geologic$ (Retrieves records whose title or alternative title begins with the character string "geologic" in Title field.)

    Example: Br J Urol (In Abbreviated Title field, must enter complete standard abbreviation or enter first few characters ending with $. Punctuation is optional.)

    Example: glass techniques (In Keyword in Title field, retrieves records containing the terms "glass" and "techniques" in Title and Alternative Title fields.)

INDEX SEARCH

Use this search to identify individual terms in specific field indexes. this locates terms beginning the the characters typed.

  1. Click on SEARCH in the CASSI tool bar.
  2. Click on INDEX.
  3. Select desired data field from drop-down menu box.
  4. Type term search box.
  5. Click on FIND.

Inserting INDEX Terms Into QUICK SEARCH

  1. Click on SEARCH in the CASSI tool bar.
  2. Click on QUICK.
  3. Select field from drop-down menu in the SEARCH IN FIELD box.
  4. Click on INDEX located at the bottom of the QUICK SEARCH form.
  5. Locate term(s) by either scrolling the vertical toolbar, pressing the Page Up/Page Down or the arrow keys, or by typing a term in the text box and clicking FIND.
  6. Select it and click COPY.

Combining Terms

  1. Type the first word or phrase in a QUICK SEARCH SEARCH FOR box.
  2. Click in the drop-down menu to the right and select AND, OR, or ANDNOT.
  3. Type additional words in the next SEARCH FOR box.
    Use AND to connect separate concepts. AND narrows your search.

    4. Example: glass and society

  4. Click on SEARCH.

Truncating Terms

Use $ to replace zero or more characters at the end of or within a search term.

Example: spectr$ (retrieves spectral, spectrum, spectroscopy, spectrometry, etc.)

Use ? to replace exactly one character

Example: bio?h?m (retrieves biochem, biochim, biokhim)

Editor Searching

Editor names are not standardized. Use INDEX to copy and paste editor name.

  1. Click on QUICK SEARCH in the CASSI tool bar.
  2. Select EDITOR in the SEARCH IN FIELD.
  3. Click on INDEX.
  4. Select EDITOR from drop-down menu box.
  5. Type last name in search box.
  6. Click on FIND.
  7. Click on COPY to copy the entry to the QUICK SEARCH form.
  8. Click on SEARCH.

Displaying Search Results

  1. Select entry(ies).
  2. Click on FULL RECORD to display the first selected record in the Full Display Window.
  3. Use NEXT RECORD or PREV RECORD to view selections in the Full Display Window.
  4. To change the display in the Full Record window, click the arrow next to the current display format and select a new format.
  5. To customize a Display Format for viewing, printing or saving, select Design Custom Format from the OPTIONS menu to display the Custom Format Editor dialog box.

Selecting Records

  1. Click on either the CODEN or title. A diamond-shaped symbol will appear to the left of the CODEN..

Downloading Search Results

The SAVE command corresponds to the active window.

  1. Insert removable storage device. (i.e. flash drive, memory stick, 3 1/2" disk...)
  2. Click on SAVE.
  3. Type file name (eight or less characters).
  4. Select drive and directory location.
  5. Click on OK.

Emailing Search Results

  1. Save search results.
  2. Launch your email account and attach the results file to a message

Beginning a New Search, Exiting, and Getting Help

Beginning a New Search

  1. Click on SEARCH.
  2. Select Index..., Quick..., or Holdings....

Exiting

  1. Click on FILE.
  2. Click on EXIT.

Getting Help

  1. Click on HELP for on-screen help.

For further assistance, consult library staff.

Databases Covered by This Guide

  • CASSI on CD