FirstSearch: Proceedings

Introduction

The Proceedings database, a FirstSearch product, contains information on citation proceedings information from conferences, symposiums, expositions, workshops and meetings held around the world.

Accessing

This database may be accessed from the Electronic Resources Section of the Alvin Sherman Library website.

Searching

To construct a search in the Proceedings database

type your search term(s) in the first Search for box
click on Search to obtain a list of records

Search screen in FirstSearch: Proceedings.

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: Proceedings.

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: Proceedings.

Managing Search Results

Databases typically allow you to manage your search results by utilizing the option below:

printing your search results list and/or specific records
saving your 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 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

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 OK
click on Detailed Record–on the left side of the screen

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, record detail, record format
enter an email address
click Send
click on Detailed Record–on the left side of the screen

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
click on Save it to disk
click OK
enter a filename–extension should be .enw
click Save
click on Detailed Record on the left side of the screen

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:

date
document and/or publication type and
Boolean operators

Phrase or proximity searching

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.

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

Date

To limit a search to specific years

go to the year box
type a specific year (like 2001) or select a range of years (like 1990-1999) or select from a specific year until the current year ( like 1995- )

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

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