Help for E-Resources/Article Databases

Ask a Librarian

Searching

  1. Click on icon for SEARCH (a magnifying glass).
    Note: If icons are not visible on the right side of the screen, click on the icon for TOOLS (a wrench) to make the tool bar appear. Clicking this icon again will minimize the tool bar.
    (Optional) Select SEARCH from the tool bar at the top of the screen.
  2. Click in box next to the index(es) you want to search.
  3. Type a word or phrase in the SEARCH BOX.
  4. Use SCROLL BAR to view results. Double click on desired result.
  5. Type a word or phrase in the KEYWORDS/PHRASES box.
  6. Press ENTER or click on SEARCH.

Combining Terms

Use OR to connect similar terms. OR broadens your search. Use the OR button to insert the word into your search or type the word in angle brackets < >.

Example: satire <or> humor

Use AND to connect separate concepts. AND narrows your search. Use the AND button to insert the word into your search or type the word in angle brackets < >.

Example: race <and> culture

Truncating Terms

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

Example: drug* (retrieves drug, drugs)

Use ? to replace more than one character at the end of a search term.

Example: drug? (retrieves drug, drugs, druggist)

Proximity Searching

Not Available

Combining Search Sets

Not Available

Author Searching

Retrieves critical essays about the works of an author and an author biography when it exists.

  1. Click the AUTHORS box in the list of indexes available to search.
  2. Click in the SEARCH box and type the author's last name and first name or last name and first initial. It's best to try both methods. Example: proust marcel
  3. Example: proust m

  4. Click on SEARCH.
  5. Use SCROLL BAR to view results. Double click on desired result.

Text Searching

Searches for words in the text of the critical essays and author biographies.

  1. Click the TEXT box in the list of indexes available to search.
  2. Click in the SEARCH box and type a keyword(s).
  3. Example: homosexuality
    Example: homosexuality <AND> art

  4. Click on SEARCH.
  5. Use SCROLL BAR to view results. Double click on desired result.

Displaying Search Results

  1. Click on RESULT(S).
  2. Use the SCROLL BAR to move through results.
  3. Double click on desired entry.
  4. Use the SCROLL BAR to move though the record.
  5. Click on icon for RESULTS (a skeleton key) to return to the results list.

Selecting Records

Selecting items for later printing, saving, or emailing is not available.

Saving Search Results

Not Available

Exporting Search Results

Not Available

Emailing Search Results

You cannot email results from this database. You may copy portions of the record and paste them into a message from a personal email account.

  1. Highlight the desired portion of the text.
  2. Click on EDIT at the top of the screen.
  3. Select COPY.
  4. Access an email account and compose a message.
  5. Select PASTE.
  6. Send the email to the desired address.

Beginning a New Search, Exiting, and Getting Help

Beginning a New Search

  1. Click on icon for SEARCH (a magnifying glass) or select SEARCH from the toolbar at the top of the screen.
  2. Click on CLEAR to remove previous search.

Exiting

  1. Click on FILE.
  2. Click on EXIT.
  3. Click on HOME at the top of the screen to return to the UW-Madison Libraries Web site.

Getting Help

  1. Click on HELP or the QUESTION MARK icon for on-screen help.

For further assistance, consult library staff.

Databases Covered by This Guide

  • MasterPlots Complete
    ... and other AND Complex for Windows databases