FirstSearch Databases

Printable version

Introduction | Accessing | Searching | Search Results | Managing Search Results | Search Tips | Additional Features

Introduction

FirstSearch contains many databases on a wide range of subjects. They include ArticleFirst, ERIC, GPO Monthly Catalog, Medline, Union List of Periodicals, PapersFirst, ProceedingsFirst, World Almanacs, and WorldCat.

Accessing

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/ FirstSearch.

Searching

When you open any database in FirstSearch, the screen defaults to the Advanced Search mode. To choose one of the other types of search modes, click on Basic, Advanced, or Expert on the left side of the screen. To construct a search in a FirstSearch database type your search term(s) in the first Search for box click on Search to obtain a list of records Consult the Search Tips for additional information on constructing your search. Search screen in FirstSearch.

Search Results

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 A list of search results matching your search terms will be displayed. This List of Records shows citations for items that matched your search availability in the Nova Southeastern University libraries–indicated by a small In your library icon availability of full-text in other FirstSearch databases–indicated by a link to View HTML full-text, does not indicate if non-FirstSearch databases contain full-text To navigate through the results use the Next or Previous buttons to move through the results find related items by using the tabs to select other FirstSearch databases Sample search results in FirstSearch. Records To view a Detailed Record click on an item’s title to see: the full citation, an abstract and a list of subject headings assigned to the record The information on the Detailed Record, especially the title of the item and the abstract (summary) of the item will help you determine if you need the item. Sample record in FirstSearch.

Managing Search Results

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 The “mark” feature allows you to select records from within your search results. By marking items, you can print or email multiple records at one time. To mark a record in the List of Records, click in the check box to the left of a title in a Detailed Record, click in the check box labeled Mark–top of the screen To view your list of marked records click on Marked Records on the left side of the screen Marked Records screen in FirstSearch. You may then email or print the citation information for the items you have selected. Full-text will not be printed for marked items–even if the full-text is available. Printing To print a record, including full-text if available click on the print icon near the top of the Detailed Record the item will be automatically reformatted and the Print dialog box will appear click Print or OK Emailing To email a record, including full-text if available click on the email icon–near the top of the Detailed Record select the item to be sent, level of record detail, record format enter a complete email address click Send Emailing in FirstSearch Use your complete email address and include a note about what you are sending in the comment box. Your mail will be sent from FirstSearch@oclc.org Saving To save a record click on the export icon–near the top of the Detailed Record select the item to be exported click on the Export button select options select Text File in the Export To: section click the Export button click Save enter a filename–extension should be .txt click Save click on Detailed Record on the left side of the screen Saving in FirstSearch. Use a word processing program to open your file.

Search Tips

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 In FirstSearch, there are two ways to search for a phrase put the phrase in double quotes, such as “higher education” “curriculum development” use the letter w to search for two words as a phrase higher w education curriculum w development Phrase searching in FirstSearch. Field searching To limit your search to a specific field in the record click on the pull-down arrow to the right of the box that says “Keyword” scroll to the field to limit your search to click on the field’s name Field searching in FirstSearch. Date To limit a search to specific years go to the year box type a specific year (like 2001) or a range of years (like 1990-1999) or from a specific year until the current year ( like 1995- ) Limiting by date in FirstSearch. Publication type To specify a type of document, depending on the FirstSearch database you are using go to the document type pull-down arrow, and specify a document type go to the Limit type to section, and use the check boxes to specify document type(s) Limiting by document type in FirstSearch. This is particularly useful in ERIC to narrow a search to only journal articles or only ERIC documents. Boolean operators The Boolean operators, AND, OR, and NOT, can be used to modify a search click on the pull-down arrow–below “Search for:” click on the Boolean operator to use: 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 Boolean operators in FirstSearch. Plurals Use the following symbols in FirstSearch databases to locate plural forms, truncate search terms, or replace characters: + Regular plural forms. school+ retrieves both school and schools * Any number of characters at the end of a word. leader* retrieves leader, leaders, leadership # One character. defen#e retrieves both defense and defence ? Zero to nine characters. radio?y retrieves radiology, radiometry, radiography, radioactivity Truncating search terms in FirstSearch.

Additional Features

Several FirstSearch databases now have links to other sources of information – tabs along the top of your search results – such as web sites. If you use this option you will leave the database you are searching in and be sent to another database. Use Previous Searches to return to any previous searches conducted during your current session. Tabs to relevant items in other FirstSearch databases.