Help for E-Resources/Article Databases

Searching

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

Combining Terms

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

• Example: groundwater or ground water

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

• Example:groundwater and contamination

Truncating Terms

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

• Example: agricultur* (retrieves agriculture, agricultural)

Use ? to replace one character or none.

• Example: m?cdonald (retrieves macdonald, mcdonald)

Proximity Searching

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

• Example: organic near3 farming (retrieves organic farming, organic vegetable farming, farming using the organic method)

Combining Search Sets

1. Click SEARCH HISTORY.
2. Click in the box(es) to the left of desired search sets to combine.
3. Click ADD or OR on the right hand side of the screen.

Author Searching

1. Click INDEX.
2. Type the last name and the first initial of the person you want to locate in the TERM box.
   Example: andrews j
3. Click GO TO TERM.
4. The word closest to the name entered will be displayed. Click in the box to the left of the name(s) desired.
5. Click SEARCH MARKED.

Journal Searching

To browse a specific journal:

1. Click FIND CITATION.
2. Type one or more words from the journal name in the JOURNAL NAME: box.
3. Type the four digit year in the PUBLICATION YEAR: box.
   
4. Click SEARCH.

To find a specific article:

1. Click FIND CITATION.
2. Enter appropriate information in the search boxes.
   Note: If entering the article title only use one or more unique words connected with AND. Typing the entire article title is not recommended.
3. Click SEARCH.

To find articles within a specific journal:

1. Enter journal name connected with hyphens.
   Example: journal-of-dairy-science
2. Change drop-down menu to SOURCE.
3. Enter appropriate search terms in other search boxes.
   

Displaying Search Results

1. Use the SCROLL BAR to move through records on the page.
2. Click on left or right arrows to move to the next or previous list of records.
3. Click COMPLETE RECORD to display the full record
4. Click FIND IT to find electronic or print copies of this item on campus.

Selecting Records

1. Click in the box to the left of the record to mark it for later printing, saving, exporting, or emailing.
   (Optional) Click GET MARKED at bottom of screen to see marked records.

1. Click PRINTER icon on the right hand of screen.
2. Click in desired radio button under RECORDS TO BE PRINTED.
3. Select desired settings.
4. Click PRINT at the top right of the screen.

Saving Search Results

1. Insert removable storage device. (i.e. flash drive, memory stick, 3 1/2" disk ...)
2. Click DISK icon on the right hand side of the screen.
3. Click in the radion button under SAVE THESE RECORDS to select desired records.
4. Click SAVE.
5. Type the disk drive letter, the filename (up to 8 characters) and .txt in the FILE NAME box.
   Example: a:myfile.txt
6. Click SAVE.

Exporting Search Results to RefWorks

Moving Records from WebSPIRS SilverPlatter into RefWorks

Emailing Search Results

1. Click ENVELOPE icon on the right hand of the screen.
2. Type complete email addresses in the FROM: and SEND: boxes.
3. Click in the SUBJECT: box and enter message if desired.
4. Click in the radion button under EMAIL THESE RECORDS to select desired records.
5. Click SEND MAIL.
6. Click OK.

Setting Up RSS Feeds & Alerts

RSS & Alerts Guides: WebSPIRS (SilverPlatter)

Beginning a New Search, Exiting, and Getting Help

Beginning a New Search

• Click SEARCH at the top of the screen.

Exiting

• Click HOME at the top of the screen to return to the UW-Madison Libraries Web site.

Getting Help

• Click HELP for on-screen help.

For further assistance, consult library staff.

Databases Covered by This Guide

• Agricola
• AGRIS
• Biological Abstracts/RRM
• Biotechnology Abstracts(Derwent)
• CAB Abstracts
• FIAF: Index Film/TV Periodicals
• FSTA
• Index to Foreign Legal Periodicals
• International Bibliography of the Social Sciences
• Social Work Abstracts Plus
• TROPAG & RURAL