FAQs about ArticleExplorer
The basics...
- What is ArticleExplorer?
- When should I use ArticleExplorer?
- How do I use ArticleExplorer?
- When would I not use ArticleExplorer?
Additional information...
- Why isn't the database I want listed in ArticleExplorer?
- Why would I use the customized search screen?
- Why would I search ArticleExplorer from the subject guides?
- Why is ArticleExplorer available in some subject guides and not others?
Questions about searching...
What is ArticleExplorer?
ArticleExplorer is a search tool that allows you to simultaneously search multiple databases using the same searching terms. For example, instead of going to five individual databases and typing in the same search terms five times, use ArticleExplorer to search for the terms in all five databases at once.
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When should I use ArticleExplorer? (3 possibilities)
1) Use ArticleExplorer when you just need a couple articles on a topic, and you need them quickly. Rather than searching across a number of different databases individually, you can search several recommended databases at once, saving you time.
2) Use ArticleExplorer when you don't know which database would have the most information about your topic. Instead of going to each database to run a query, use ArticleExplorer to simultaneously search multiple databases at once. The search results will help you determine which databases are returning the most relevant articles about your topic. Once the search results show which database(s) have the most information about your topic, it is best to search those particular databases in their "native" interface.
3) Use ArticleExplorer as a way to begin interdisciplinary research. On the customized search screen, you can choose as many databases to search as you want, from as many different disciplines as you want. Again, we recommend that once you’ve identified a potentially useful database, that you enter that database’s native interface to refine your search more effectively.
To find subject specific databases, use the Subject guides directory. You can also Ask a Librarian for more assistance.
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How do I use ArticleExplorer?
Use the ArticleExplorer Help page for detailed explanations and examples on how to search ArticleExplorer. Below is a brief summary:
Selecting the databases
There are three options available to choose which databases ArticleExplorer will search:
- From the ArticleExplorer page, search by predetermined broad subject categories. The profiled databases listed for these subjects were selected by subject/college librarians as the ones most commonly used for that subject area.
- From the ArticleExplorer page, use the Customized search option, to select the databases, either one subject or across subjects, and run the search.
- From the ArticleExplorer page, select the Search using Subject Guides option to choose the profiled databases in that subject guide to run your search.
Simple versus Advanced search term options
Simple searches are best used for single terms (e.g. cat) or a phrase (e.g. maternal behavior), as many databases will search all the terms entered (including AND, OR, and NOT Boolean terms) in the search box as a phrase.
Advanced searches are best used for synonym searching (e.g. cat or feline) and combining different topics or concepts. For example, 'cat or feline' and "maternal behavior".
See Using Boolean Operators searches for more information.
The results
Examine the search results to see which databases are giving you the information that is closest to your topic. If you need more information about your topic, go into those specific databases and conduct a more in-depth search using the subject terms used by that particular database.
Still having trouble? Ask a Librarian for more help.
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When would I not use ArticleExplorer?
ArticleExplorer has limited capabilities in its searching ability. While it is useful to help you locate the databases that have articles on your topic, it cannot perform complex searches. Once you've identified the database(s) that would be most helpful for you, it's best to go directly to that/those database(s) to continue searching.
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Why isn't the database I want listed in ArticleExplorer?
The number of resources we are allowed to include in ArticleExplorer is 50 databases. Currently, 47 are included, and we are investigating what other databases would be helpful in ArticleExplorer.
If you would like to submit a suggestion for a database to be included, please contact Annette Baileye. Please remember that not all databases are able to be incorporated into ArticleExplorer.
Certain databases are not eligible to be a part of the ArticleExplorer search process. The following were highly requested databases to be included as a part of ArticleExplorer, but could not be for various reasons:
FirstSearch databases (all through this vendor - e.g. ArticleFirst, GeoBase, etc):
The indexes and databases we have access to through FirstSearch were not included. The pricing structure of the FirstSearch vendor is to charge per search. If ten FirstSearch databases are selected as part of ArticleExplorer, the library is charged for ten individual searches, not one.
SciFinder Scholar:
Due to licensing and cost restrictions, we only have access for seven simultaneous users for the entire Virginia Tech campus. Each search in ArticleExplorer would take an additional "seat" unless the user logged out of the system after every search. Also, the search interface and database design structure are not compatible with the broad terms used to search across multiple databases.
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Why would I use the customized search?
Although the interface is somewhat complex, the Customized search allows you more flexibility and control with your search terms. Here's how:
You can choose the databases you want to search within and across subject disciplines (rather than using the preselected databases). Selecting individual databases to include in your search will allow you to choose your favorites, or to conduct interdisciplinary research. Just check the box in front of thedatabase you want to have searched.
You can also use Boolean search ing tools (i.e, include “and” and/or “or” in your search) and set the fields the terms must be found in (e.g. title, subject, etc) in order for results to be retrieved. The use of these search tools will enable you to construct more powerful search strings to get more relevant results than a straight keywo rd search.
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Why would I search ArticleExplorer from the subject guides?
Trying to determine which databases best reflect your subject area is not always easy, particularly when the title of the database doesn't reflect it's subject area (e.g. ERIC, ISI Proceedings, Avery, Factiva, etc).
To help you select which databases are available to search through ArticleExplorer for a particular subject, librarians have included a list of databases from their subject guides, which you may find more relevant and helpful than using the preselected indexes for a particular college.
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Why is ArticleExplorer available in some subject guides and not others?
Depending on the subject area and the availability of databases that can be simultaneously searched by ArticleExplorer, it is sometimes more effective to search each of the databases individually. When this is the case, ArticleExplorer is not offered as an option in the subject guide.
Remember, ArticleExplorer's value as a tool is to help locate the databases that would have relevant articles about your topic. To perform in-depth searches, it's best to go to a specific database interface in order to run additional queries and retrieve articles and other resources.
Please contact your subject librarian with comments or suggestions about resources available through the subject guides.
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Why are there failed searches?
Occassionally the database cannot interpret a search query. In most cases, resubmitting the search will take care of the problem. If you continue to experience problems with failed searches, please contact your College Librarian or contact us at Ask a Librarian.
