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Search It - frequently asked questions

The Library has introduced Search It, a new gateway to databases, e-journals and e-books. Now you can search up to eight databases at the same time using a single search box, however you can still access your favourite database or e-journal with its own native search interface.

1. Logging in

1.1. Why do I have to login?

Most of our e-resources are restricted by licensing agreements to current RMIT staff and students. Logging in ensures that only authorised users access these resources. Once logged in you can customise My Space. This allows you to save lists of articles to your eShelf, compile lists of your favourite journals and databases and change some display preferences.

1.2. What is my user id / password?

This is your NDS login and password.

1.3. I’ve already logged in? Why do I have to do it again?

At present you may be required to log in several times during a session. Once the new system is established, we will work on reducing the number of times you have to log in. Meanwhile we apologise for the inconvenience.

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2. Searching

2.1. I just need a few articles on my topic. Quickly …

The Search It home page allows quick links to major database groups. Most of these cover a wide range of subject areas. Good starting points for many subject areas are Infotrac (Expanded Academic ASAP) or ProQuest.

2.2. I need all / lots of articles on my topic

You will need to search several different databases simultaneously via Search It, or you can use Search It to help you identify the best databases to search for your topic.

For many subject areas the major databases cannot be cross-searched, so you will still need to search them individually.

2.3. How do I search across multiple databases?

Go to CrossSearch. Under ‘Choose databases’, select ‘Categories’. Choose a subject category from the list then choose sub-category. Cross-searchable databases have a box on the left. Tick up to 8 databases and do either a Simple or Advanced search.

2.4. When should I search via the database interface rather than through Search It?

You can choose to connect directly to a database, or to search it via the Search It interface

Generally you will get better results and have greater control over your search if you use the interface of the database itself. Many database interfaces include the ability to separate peer-reviewed from trade publications, limit to specific dates or other criteria, specify the fields you search, and use truncation or adjacency searching. These options are limited in Search It.

If you need to conduct a thorough search we suggest you use a CrossSearch to identify which databases contain material of interest and then use the database interface to conduct your search.

2.5. How can I find peer reviewed (refereed, scholarly, academic, research) articles?

Search It doesn’t allow you to restrict to peer-reviewed articles. However you can:

  • Use databases whose interface allows you to limit your search to peer-reviewed. Examples are: ProQuest, Expanded Academic ASAP and EBSCO databases.
  • Choose databases which mainly contain peer-reviewed articles. Examples are: ScienceDirect, Emerald, Wiley Interscience.
  • Use one of our Library subject guides to identify the major databases of peer-reviewed articles for your subject area.

2.6. How do I find a particular database?

Go to Databases A-Z. Choose ‘Titles’. Enter starting letter or any words from the database title. Click on the database name to search it via its normal interface. Or click on the ‘magnifying glass’ symbol to search using the simplified Search It interface.

2.7. I already have the details of an article. How do I find the full text?

Go to Citation Linker. Enter article details. This will link to the full text if available via Find It. If this does not work, check the journal title in the Library catalogue to see if we hold it in electronic or printed format.

2.8. How do I find specialist information such as company and industry research?

Some subject categories, e.g. Business, include subcategories such as Companies or Industries. Use one of our Library subject guides to identify the major information sources for your subject area.

2.9. How do I find material in a special format e.g. images, library guides, theses?

Go to Databases A-Z, choose ‘Locate’, select a ‘Type’, e.g. images, theses, etc. and click ‘Go’.

2.10. What formats can I search for?

The following format types are available in Search It: abstracts, catalogues, conference papers, e-books, e-journals, images, library guides, newspapers, reference works, search engines, subject gateways, theses, web resources.

2.11. What is QuickSearch?

QuickSearch allows to you perform a simple search across a group of databases covering broad subject areas. You may get better results by selecting databases for your specific subject area.

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3. Results

3.1. How are the results displayed?

Search it displays partial results as either Brief or Table view. Click the article title to view the full record. The full view often gives an abstract or summary of the article which will help you decide if the article suits your needs.

3.2. How do I get full text?

In Brief or Table view click on the article title. Often the abstract and full text display in this Full view.

If the full text is not displayed, then click the [Find it] button in the Full view (on the Brief or Table view). This will often link to the full text. As not all e-journals are compatible with Find It, you may need to also check the journal title in the Library catalogue.

If the record is from one of the Informit full text databases (A+ Education, AGIS plus Text, APAFT, Family & Society Plus or Meditext), click the link at the bottom of the record, instead of the Find it button.

If none of these works, check the publication title in the Library catalogue to see if we hold it in electronic or printed format. Many publications are not fully compatible with Search It / Find It.

3.3. Why does the Results display say “10346 records found” but I can only see 79?

When you do a QuickSearch or CrossSearch often a large number of results is obtained. Search It retrieves the first group of these (typically 50-250 records) and ranks them by relevance. Click on the article title to see the full details.

Often the later records in the first group will have low relevance, but you can retrieve more by going to the last record and clicking ‘Get more’. It will then re-rank the existing records including the new ones.

When a large number of records is retrieved you should redo your search with more precise terminology to retrieve a more manageable number of records. Better still, repeat the search using the database’s own interface.

3.4. How do I email a single record?

Click the[email] icon, fill in your email address and click ‘Email’.

3.5. How do I select a group of records to email or save?

  • Click the[add to basket] icon for each item. The icon will change to [in basket]
  • When you have finished, click the My Space tab. Then click eShelf
  • Tick the boxes next to the items you want
  • Click ‘Save’ or ‘Email’.
    • Save in Standard format to save to a text file
    • Save in Citation manager format to export directly to EndNote

3.6. How do I print records?

You can print from the full display or the brief or table display using the browser print function. We recommend you use ‘Print Preview’ to ensure the text size is suitable.

3.7. How do I know which are the best results?

Because Search It can search across a wide variety of information types including books, journal and newspaper articles, reports etc, it is more difficult to evaluate the results than with individual databases. See Evaluating information for assistance.

Many individual databases help you evaluate journal articles by identifying them as scholarly, professional, trade, newspaper, etc. Use the database’s own interface to take advantage of these features.

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4. Problems, known issues

4.1. I’ve marked some records, where have they gone?

Check My Space on the eShelf.

4.2. Why can’t I search across all the databases?

Not all databases are compatible with the Search It cross searching facility. This includes some of the major databases for many subject areas. If you limit yourself to cross-searching you will miss many important articles!

4.3. Why are my results being re-sorted?

When you click on ‘Get more’ to retrieve new records, the list will be re-ranked. To avoid going through the entire list again, sort the records by date. Marking records of interest as you go will also help.

4.4. Scheduled system maintenance

System maintenance is scheduled everyday from 4:00 am AEST. At this time Search It and Find It functionality will not be available for 10 minutes. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

4.5. Sending results list from My Space

If you have sent the results list to your email address but didn’t receive it, it is likely that the email address you have entered was not valid. Unfortunately at this stage the system doesn’t give any feedback so please check your email address for any typing errors before sending the results.

For information about problems accessing the databases or journal articles please see the Accessing Library e-resources .

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