Help for E-Resources/Article Databases

Ask a Librarian

« Return to List of Quick Guides

Searching

  1. Select the database from the menu on the UW-Madison Libraries Web site.
  2. (Optional) Select a database from the SELECT A DATABASE menu.
  3. Type a word or phrase in each SEARCH FOR box.
    (Optional) Limit your search by selecting a field from the SEARCH IN menu.
    (Optional) Limit your search by selecting a document or treatment type from the LIMIT BY menus.
  4. Click on SEARCH.

Combining Terms

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

Example: nanotechnology or nanostructure

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

Example: ceramics and nanotechnology

Truncating Terms

Words are automatically stemmed.

Example: management (retrieves manage, managing, manager, management)

(Optional) To turn off automatic stemming, click AUTOSTEMMING OFF.
(Optional) Use * to replace one or more characters at the end of a search term.

Example: comput* (retrieves computer, computers, computing, computerized)

Proximity Searching

Use quotation marks to find words next to each other in that order.

Example: "international space station"

Combining Search Sets

  1. Click on SEARCH HISTORY at the top of the screen.
  2. Enter the numbers of your search sets in the ENTER SEARCHES TO COMBINE box at the bottom of the screen.

    3. Example: #1 and #2
    Example: (#1 or #2) and #3

Author Searching

  1. Select AUTHOR from the BROWSE INDEXES box on the right side of the screen.
  2. Enter a name in the SEARCH FOR BOX, or browse the list alphabetically.
  3. Click in the box to the left of the desired name. The author name will be entered into the SEARCH FOR box and AUTHOR will be selected from the SEARCH IN menu.
  4. Click on SEARCH.

Journal Searching

  1. Select SERIAL TITLE from the BROWSE INDEXES box on the right side of the screen.
  2. Enter a name in the SEARCH FOR BOX, or browse the list alphabetically.
  3. Click in the box to the left of the desired journal title. The title will be entered into the SEARCH FOR box and SERIAL TITLE will be selected from the SEARCH IN menu.
  4. Click on SEARCH.

Displaying Search Results

Brief records matching the last search are automatically displayed.

  1. Use the SCROLL BAR to move through results.
  2. Click on NEXT PAGE or NEXT PAGE to display more records.
    (Optional) Jump between pages by selecting from the drop down menu of record numbers at the top of the screen and click on GO .
    (Optional) Click on DETAILED RECORD/LINKS to see the full record.

Selecting Records

  1. Click in the box to the left of the record for later printing, downloading or emailing.
  2. Click on VIEW SELECTIONS to review your selected list.

Saving Search Results

  1. Click on DOWNLOAD.
  2. Select the format and click on DOWNLOAD.
  3. Click CLOSE.

Emailing Search Results

  1. Display the records to be emailed.
  2. Click on EMAIL.
  3. Enter the email address in both EMAIL TO and EMAIL FROM.
  4. Click in the TO box and type the complete email address.
  5. Click on SEND EMAIL.
  6. Click on CLOSE.

Setting up RSS & Alerts

RSS & Alert Guides: Engineering Village

Beginning a New Search, Getting Help, and Exiting

Beginning a New Search

  1. Click on NEW SEARCH.

Getting Help

  1. Click on HELP for on-screen help.

For further assistance, consult library staff.

Exiting

  1. Click on END SESSION at the top of the screen.
  2. Click on the browser's HOME at the top of the screen to return to the UW-Madison Libraries Web site.

Databases Covered by this Guide

  • Compendex (Engineering Index)
  • INSPEC

...and other Engineering Village databases