Help for E-Resources/Article Databases

Ask a Librarian

Searching

  1. Select database from the UW-Madison Libraries Web site.
  2. Type a word or phrase in the QUICK SEARCH box.
  3. Click on GO.

Combining Terms

Use OR to connect similar terms. OR broadens your search.

Example: "genetic engineering" or "genetically engineered"

Use AND to connect separate concepts. AND narrows your search.

Example: biotechnology and food

Truncating Terms

Use * to replace one or more characters at the end of a search term.

Example: biotech* (retrieves biotech, biotechnology, biotechnologies)

Proximity Searching

Use quotation marks around phrases to find words next to each other in that order.

Example: "genetically modified foods"

Use w/# to find terms within a specified number(#) of words of each other regardless of the order.

Example: genetically w/5 food* ( retrieves genetically modified foods, genetically engineered food, foods from genetically engineered plants, etc.)

Combining Search Sets

Not Available

Displaying Search Results

  1. Use the SCROLL BAR to move through records on the page.
  2. Click on NEXT PAGE or PREVIOUS PAGE to display more results.
  3. Click on title of a report to display the abstract of the report.
    (Optional) Click on section headings above the abstract to view other parts of the report.

Selecting Records

  1. Click in the box to the left of the record to mark it for later printing, downloading or emailing.

Saving Search Results

Saving a Report

  1. Display report to be downloaded.
  2. Insert a removable storage device (e.g. flash drive, memory stick, 3-1/2" disk ...).
  3. Click on FILE at the top of the window and select SAVE AS.
  4. Type the disk drive letter, the filename, and the extention in the FILE NAME box.
  5. Example: a:myfile.txt
    Example: a:myfile.html

  6. Click on SAVE.

Exporting Search Results to RefWorks

See Moving Citations from CQ Researcher into RefWorks

Emailing Search Results

Emailing a Full Report or a Section of a Report

  1. Select section of the report you want to email from the Send as E-mail . . . pull-down menu.
  2. Type appropriate email addresses in boxes labeled Your E-mail Address: and Recipient's E-mail Address:.
    (Optional) Fill in the MESSAGE box.
  3. Click on SEND EMAIL.
  4. Click on OK.

Beginning a New Search, Getting Help, and Exiting

Beginning a New Search

  1. Click inside the QUICK SEARCH box in the left column or click on NEW SEARCH on the results screen.

Getting Help

  • Click on HELP in the upper right portion of any screen.
  • OR
  • Click on ADVANCED SEARCH in the left column of any screen and select SEARCH TIPS on the Search screen.
  • For further assistance, consult library staff.

    Exiting

    1. Click on LOGOUT at the top right of the screen.

Databases Covered by this Guide

  • CQ Researcher

... and other Congressional Quarterly databases