Introduction | Accessing | Searching | Search
Results | Managing
Search Results | Search
Tips | Additional Features
Introduction
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Compendex Web is an interdisciplinary bibliographic database of engineering
and technology research literature. Approximately half the citations include
abstracts and indexing. Subject areas indexed include: chemical and process
engineering, computers and data processing, applied physics, electronics and
communication, civil engineering, and mechanical engineering. These records
are obtained from over 5000 engineering journals, technical reports, conference
proceedings and papers. The coverage is from 1970 to present and the database
is updated weekly.
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Accessing
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This database may be accessed from the Databases page of the Electronic Resources section of the NSU Alvin Sherman Library website.
For more on how to access databases visit http://www.nova.edu/library/dils/lessons/electroniclibrary/
The Compendex database is automatically selected. To change to another Science
Direct database use the drop down menu arrow–this tutorial deals
only with Compendex.
Compendex in Science Direct.
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Searching
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The default search in Compendex is the Quick Search mode. To choose one of
the other search modes, move your mouse over the tabs at the right. If you prefer
to use advanced search click the Advanced tab. This demonstration uses the default
or basic search screen.
To construct a basic search in Compendex
- type your search term(s) in the first Search for box
- click on Search to obtain a list of records
Basic Search screen in Compendex.
Modify searches in Compendex by using one or more of the following
- enter multiple search terms or concepts
- combine terms using Boolean operators
- limit search terms using field searching
- refine searches with limiters, such as date, full text, publication type,
etc.
Modifying a search in Compendex using field searching.
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Search Results
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Search results will vary. If you get:
- No records matched your search, then check your spelling
or the fields you searched in.
- Too many, then go back and limit your search. Sometimes a
search needs to be modified with: additional search words, searching
only a specific field, adding date limitations, or type of materials.
- Too few, then go back and expand your search. Consider synonyms
for your search words or concepts. Try to use professional language
or terminology.
- Irrelevant results, then try new search terms. Consider synonyms
or related concepts. Identify and search using descriptors. Try a different
database.
Results lists
The Search Results screen displays items that matched your search terms. The
Search Results shows
- citations for items that matched your search
- availability of full-text – indicated by the links underneath the
record
Your search results will not indicate if other databases or non-Compendex databases
contain the full-text of the article.
Search results Compendex.
Records
Records are the listed citation information plus the abstract, if available,
for articles.
The individual record for an article can be viewed by clicking on the blue
Abstract-Compendex link below the citation.
Compendex displays the "Abstract-Compendex" link underneath the citation.
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Managing Search Results
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Databases typically allow you to manage your search results by
- marking or tagging records to select only the records that you want
from your search results from later printing, emailing and/or saving
- printing the search results list and/or specific records
- emailing the search results list and/or specific records to your
email address
- saving the search results list and/or specific records–some
databases may allow you to save your file for export into commercial bibliographic
citation manager software, such as EndNote or ProCite
Not all search management features are available in all databases.
Marking
To mark records
- place a checkmark in the box to the left of the citation
- view the checked documents by clicking the blue underlined link
that says Display Checked Documents
Marking records in Compendex.
Printing
To print a record, including full-text if available:
- Once you have clicked on the Blue underlined title of a record you will
then see the full citation plus the abstract provided it is available.
- From the full length record look at the lime green box on the right hand
side of the article's title
- Select the format that includes either the full text html or pdf version
by clicking on the appropriate blue underlined link
- Print the document as normal
Emailing
To email a record, including full-text if available
- look in the lime green box
- click on the underlined link that says E-mail Article
Saving
To save a record, including full-text if available
- look in the lime green box
- click on the underlined link that says Export Citation
- select the Export type
- choose the File Format
- click export to save the document
- the save as menu will open
NOTE: Be sure to note where you are saving the file to, and double check to
be sure you put a checkmark in the box beside the record you wish to send.
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Search Tips
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Use advanced search features to modify a search to obtain more successful search
results. You can combine advanced search features to modify and improve your
search. Advanced search features often include:
- phrase or proximity searching
- field searching
- date
- document and/or publication type
- Boolean operators
- plurals and truncation
One useful tip when searching any electronic database is to leave out articles,
prepositions, and very abstract or general terms–they confuse the database's
search engine.
For example, if the paper is on "The Impact of Mainstreaming Students
in Math Classes,” use the most precise terms like mainstreaming and mathematics
and skip impact, the, of, and in.
Phrase or proximity searching
It is fine to type a phrase in the search box. Quotes, or brackets need not
be used. In Compendex, when you enter a phrase the database treats the phrase
using boolean operators.
Examples:
Typing the phrase Artificial Intelligence would find artificial
and intelligence
Be aware that Compendex does not allow natural language searching, so if you
try typing in a full sentence or a very long phrase/concept you will not retrieve
any results.
Some words are not searchable these include articles, personal pronouns, forms
of the verb "to be", and some conjunctions.
Field searching
To limit your search to a specific field in the record
- next to the word "within" click on the pull-down arrow
- scroll to the field to limit your search to
- click on the field’s name
An example of selecting to search in the abstract,title, keyword field.
Date
To limit a search to specific years
- go to the date range section of the screen
- select either All years or choose one Year only
Publication type
Specify a document type:
- click on the pull down arrow in front of the word “within”
- select Conference Information or Index Terms
Selecting to search for Conference Information in Compendex.
Compendex searches cannot be limited to peer-reviewed (refereed) publications.
Boolean operators
Use AND to narrow a search. AND looks for both terms in the
same record.
leadership and vision; mainstreaming and science
Use OR to broaden a search. OR looks for either term in the
same record.
mainstreaming or inclusion; elementary education or secondary education
Use NOT to eliminate records with a certain term.
Saturn not car; Venus not planet
Plurals
Compendex automatically searches for plural forms of the entered search term(s).
Use the following symbols to truncate search terms:
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!
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Will find a root word and related words.
For example: comp! would find computer, and computing |
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*
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Will replace characters in a word.
Examples:
wom*n to find woman, or women
bernst** to find both the ei and the ie spelling of a name
or transplant** to find transplant, transplanted, or transplanter |
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Additional Features
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To construct an Advanced Search
By selecting the tab on the right you can choose to do an advance search.
- click the Advanced tab
- construct your search using Boolean Operators in the box provided
- set dates
- click search
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