Database Help: Searching FirstSearch

Overview

Not one database, but many

FirstSearch is not one database but a collection of databases. Roughly twenty databases are directly searchable from the library web site. There are also many more databases that are only available for searching in the Reference area of the library. One strength of FirstSearch is that all the databases have similar searching techniques, formats, and commands.

Variety of sources

A search in FirstSearch can lead to a variety of sources including books, articles, encyclopedia articles, and Internet resources. This can be a powerful plus if you want these different sources, but it means you will have to make some decisions about which databases you use. For example, NetFirst leads you to Internet resources (web sites), and WorldCat almost always leads you to books. For more information, please see FirstSearch databases.

Full-text and full-image

FirstSearch can lead to full text and full image articles. Full text means the words of the article are provided. The record will NOT contain the pictures, graphs, charts, illustrations, etc. in the original article. For example, the database WilsonSelect is always full text.

You can only restrict to full text if you search one database at a time. However, if you search multiple databases, and your results contain full text articles, they will be identified for you with the phrase "view HTML full text."

Full image means the electronic image you retrieve is exactly like the original, with all illustrations, charts, etc. For example, the database ECO sometimes provides access to the article exactly as it appeared in the journal.

The full-text icon means the article is available full text or full image.

The holdings icon is supposed to mean the A&M-Commerce library has some of that journal. Unfortunately, it is very unreliable. Try checking our catalog or current journals list for more accurate information about which journals we have.

Limiting

When you see this symbol , you can limit results by author, subject, year, language, or by document type.

Selecting a database

To begin, you must either choose a database or choose a grouping of databases. If you are not sure which database to use, click on "list all." The result will give you a sentence about each one, and you can click on the info icon to get more detailed descriptions.

At the Home Screen search position the "In" box requires you to specify a database or use a grouping. "Jump to Advanced Search" requires you to pick a database, not a group of databases.

General searching tips

You may want to check General Searching Techniques before performing a search in any database.

Use the tan box to execute the basic search. In the "Search for" box type in a word or phrase or name. If you have not already selected a database, in the "In" box, select either a database or a grouping and click "search."

If you select a database, you will retrieve a list of items (usually articles) on the topic. The gray bar provides the number of "records found."

If you selected a grouping of database, for example "Education" or "General," your results will show how many items were found in several different databases. You can pick up to 3 database to use as you continue the search. The results are listed from largest to smallest quantity retrieved. But quantity is not the only criteria. For example, you will often get a large result in WorldCat, but the results will usually be books. If you want articles, don't select WorldCat. You probably never want "Union Lists." NetFirst locates Internet resources (web sites). Again, if you want articles, don't select NetFirst.

Check the "select" boxes for up to 3 database and click "select." After the brown search box appears again, click on "search." FirstSearch begins to display the results from the first database on your list. The total results from each database are in the gray box.

Searching from the home page

Searching from the home page is probably only done when first entering FirstSearch. You can enter a basic or an advanced search (see following). You cannot limit to full text.

Basic search

After you start searching, you probably will not be searching from the home page. The basic search page allows you to specify that your search term is a keyword, author or word in the article's title. If you search one database at a time, it also allows you to restrict to full text.

Advanced search

Many times you may prefer the advanced search option. You can begin by choosing the "Jump to Advanced Search" option from the home page, or you can change to advanced search anytime by selecting this option from the blue bar on the left side of the screen.

1. Enter search terms. The search default is "keyword," but you can use the drop-down menu to select other fields to be searched--author, title, etc.
2. Change the Boolean operators if you want. Most often you will use the advanced search to combine two or three topics using "and" which will narrow a search, resulting in fewer hits. (See General Searching Techniques for more explanation on formulating a good search.)
3. Limit by year if you desire. Some databases allow other limitations.

Working with the results

The result of your search will be a list of citations. Click on a title in the list to view the full reference. The full reference may contain an abstract and the full text of the article.

E-mail

Find e-mail buttons in the gray bars at the top and bottom of the screen. If you want to e-mail several records, check the box to the left of the citations you want, and, after you issue your command, select the "marked records" radio button. E-mail will give you options of plain text, HTML, brief record, or full record. Any of the options will give you enough information to find the journal. Obviously, the "full record" choice provides more, but the brief record provides the essential data.

Printing

There are print buttons in the gray bars at the top and bottom of the screen.

If you are printing one record at a time:

1. The system will print what you see on the screen, so if you want to print the list, have the list visible. If you want to print an abstract or full text, have that visible.
2. Click on the FirstSearch print button . This will NOT print but will produce a printer-friendly version and save paper and toner.
3. Use the Browser's print button to print the reformatted screen.

If you have selected (marked) several records:

1. Click on the "marked records" option in the blue bar at the left of the screen.
2. Choose either brief or detailed format. "Brief" is the default setting.
3. Click on the FirstSearch print button. This will NOT print but will produce a printer-friendly version and save paper and toner.
4. Use the Browser's print button to print the reformatted screen.
5. When you get back to your list, use the "clear marks" option so your previous results don't get carried forward to your next searches.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

If our library does not own the journal or book, you may request a copy of it through Interlibrary Loan (ILL). There are ILL buttons in the two gray bars. Activate the ILL button, fill in the form, and a request for the article or book you have identified will be sent directly to the ILL office. There is no charge to you for this service.

[ Off-campus Library Services - table of contents ]
[ Database Help booklet | Library guide ]
[ Gee Library home page | A&M-Commerce home page ]

Jake Pichnarcik
Interlibrary Loan Department
Gee Library, Texas A&M University - Commerce
PO Box 3011, Commerce, TX 75429
phone: (903) 886-5719
email: Jacob_Pichnarcik@tamu-commerce.edu

Last updated September 2006.