This is the "Easy Search" page of the "Searching Basics" guide.
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Searching Basics   Tags: how-to  

Short video clips and tips on searching in a variety of databases.
Last Updated: Nov 14, 2012 URL: http://ulvlibrary.libguides.com/searching-basics Print Guide RSS UpdatesShareThis

Easy Search Print Page
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What Am I Searching?

Easy Search searches the library catalog and many of the Wilson Library's databases to help you find the most relevant information available to you.  The search is in EbscoHost, but is also searching ProQuest, Sage, and others.  The EbscoHost interface gives you the ability to limit your results by date, resources, subject area and more. 

Take a couple of minutes to watch the short video for some tips and tricks of searching. 

Features to notice:

  • Add More Resources to your Search
    On the right hand side of the result screen, under SEARCH MORE RESOURCES, check more resources to include in your search. This will give you more results on your topic. To learn more about each resource, hover over the title.
  • Limit Your Results
    On the left hand side of the result screen, limit your search by type of source searched (article, books, electronic resources are recommended), subject, specific databases searched, and more.

    These options can make a huge impact on the information you find!
  • Need Help?
    On the right hand side of the screen there are a few ways to get assistance: the ASK US button lets you search the library's FAQ or ask questions, chat with a librarian, or search for subject guides for more suggestions on searching.
 

Tips for Easy Search

 

Create a My Ebsco Account

My EbscoHost allows you to create your own account within EbscoHost databases (e.g. Easy Search, PsycArticles, SocIndex, Education Research Complete, etc).  There are quite a few benefits of setting up your own account:

  • The items in your folder stay with you!  Unlike when you aren't signed it, if you close your browser you lose everything in your folder.
  • Create folders to organize articles
  • Keep track of persistent links, journal and search alerts
  • Ability to create webpages and search boxes for your webpages
  • Keep notes for your articles

To get started, click on the "Sign In" link in the top toolbar.

 

 

If you haven't created an account before, click Create an Account.  If you have, go ahead and sign in!

 

Now you are ready to go!  Search and add things to your folder as normal.  When you are ready to organize, start creating folders.  These will be available to you in all EbscoHost databases.

 

Tips for Searching

  • Search by Words
    Searching library resources are not like searching Google where you enter a phrase or question into the search box and get results. Enter words that represent the concept you are searching. You can enter multiple words using AND or OR.
  • AND or OR
    Use care when adding ANDs or ORs to your search.

    AND will narrow your search. For every word searched with AND, the database will search for results with ALL of those words. So with each added keyword, you will get fewer results.

    OR will broaden your search. This is very effective if you are not getting enough results. Search similar keywords/concepts, e.g. women or female. OR searches for ANY of the keywords entered.
  • Narrow By Date
    Think about the date range you want to search. You can adjust the dates searched on the left hand side of the Easy Search screen to get articles, books, movies published within a specific time range.
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