Download Using OCLC FirstSearch

Using
JACKSON
COMMUNITY
COLLEGE
ATKINSON LIBRARY
FirstSearch
…is a Web-based information
system for searching online
databases.
A database is a collection of
related resources on a specific
topic.
Each entry in a database is called a
record.
Selecting a
database
Selecting a database
FirstSearch provides three options for
selecting a database on the Databases tab:
Selecting a database
The List Databases by Topic option
groups databases into subject areas…
Selecting a database
The List Databases by Topic option
groups databases into subject areas.
Use the drop-arrow
menu to select a topic
area.
Selecting a database
The List All Databases option displays a
merged list of all databases.
Selecting a database
If you need
help selecting
a database,
use the
Suggest Best
option to scan
databases for
your key
search
term/s.
Your key search
term/s
Then click on
List
Selecting a database
You can
then select
the
databases
that best
meet the
needs of
your
research.
Your estimated results
are listed here by
numbers of records in
each database that
match your search.
The Database list
The Database list
The Database list
Select—Click the checkbox in front of each
database you would like to search. You may
select up to 3.
The Database list
A default
database may be
pre-selected. If
you do not want
to include the
default database
in your search,
click the
checkbox in the
first column to
de-select it.
The Database list
Database—Displays the name of the
database. Click to search in just one
database.
The Database list
Description—Displays a short
description of the subject/s
covered.
The Database list
Info—Click the Info
button to view
detailed information on the database.
The Database list
Updated—Displays the dates on which the
databases were last updated.
The Database list
Full text—Displays the Full Text
if online full text is available.
icon
Searching
Searching
The Basic Search
screen allows you to
search the main
indexes of a
database. Use the
Basic search if you
are new to online
searching, or if you
need quick results
using a simple
search statement.
Searching
Advanced Search lets you construct
more complex search statements.
Searching
Up to three search strings & indexes can be
combined, as well as other search limits.
Combine
terms with
~AND~
~NOT~
~OR~
You can
specify a
Year…
…or have your
results sorted.
Other search
features
Other search features
Browse the indexes to verify the correct
spelling or format for search terms. Click
the Index button
to access the Browse
Index feature.
Other search features
…browse the
indexes to
verify the
correct
spelling or
format for
search
terms.
Click on a term to
copy it onto your
search screen.
Other search features
Use Rank
to organize
the results
of your
search.
(Available
Rank
options
vary by
database.)
FirstSearch screens
and functions
FirstSearch screens and
functions
FirstSearch screens and functions
Move through FirstSearch using the
navigation tabs. Each tab displays contextsensitive links for additional options.
FirstSearch screens and functions
For example, in the figure below, the List of
Records screen displays as the Active
Option on the Results tab.
The tab being
displayed
(“Results”) is blue,
not gray.
The Active Option tab
is white, not gray.
FirstSearch screens and functions
The Detailed Record and Marked Records
options appear as links to additional screens
that are also available on the Results tab.
Click on these grayed-out
options to activate them.
FirstSearch screens and functions
Check the control panel below the
navigation tabs for status information and
specialized tools such as Sort and Help.
Additional tip:
Click the Help button
to browse the
context-sensitive online help in a popwindow.
Using search results
Using search results
Viewing a detailed record—
To view a
detailed
record from
the List of
Records
screen, click
on the record
title.
Using search results
To return
to the List
of Records
screen,
click the
List of
Records
link under
the Results
tab.
Using search results
Viewing full text—The Full Text button
and full text format information appear with
any record for which full text is available online.
Click either the button or the format
information to see the full text.
Using search results
Related records—To help clarify
your search results, try clicking on
the Related Authors
button...
Using search results
Related records— …the Related Authors
button...
Using search results
…or the Related Subjects
button.
Using search results
…the Related Subjects button.
Using search results
Sorting records—Click the Sort button
to select sort options for a set of results
containing 500 or fewer records.
Using search results
click the Sort button
to select
sorting options for a set of results
containing 500 or fewer records.
…
Sorting
options
will vary
by
database.
Using search results
Limiting results—To narrow your set of
results, click the Limit button
and select
from the list of database-specific limits.
Using search results
…narrowing your set of results. Select from
the list of database-specific limits.
Using search results
Marking a subset of records—
Click the checkbox for each
record you want in your subset
list. Use the Mark All button to
mark all records on a page or the
Clear Marks button to unmark all
records on your list. Click the
Marked Records link on the
Results tab to view, e-mail, or
save.
Using search results
Marking a subset of records—Click the
checkbox for each record you want in
your subset list...
Clear
Marks
Mark
All
Using search results
Click the Marked Records link under the
Results tab to view, e-mail, or save the
records you marked.
Using search results
…the Marked Records link on the Results
tab to view, e-mail, or save the records
you marked…
Using search results
Printing—Click the Print
button to
reformat a page of results for printing. Use
your browser's print function to print…
Using search results
Printing— Click the Return button
return to the original format.
to
Using search results
E-mailing—Click the E-mail
button to
e-mail records, library ownership information,
or full-text copy…
Using search results
The E-mail
button takes you to a form
to e-mail records, library ownership
information, or full-text copy.
Using search results
Library ownership information
The My Library Owns icon
is
displayed with any resource that
our library owns. Click the
Libraries button
to view a
list of libraries that own a
particular resource.
Using search results
Library ownership information…
The My Library Owns icon
Using search results
Library ownership information
Click the Libraries button
to view a
list of libraries that own a particular
resource.
Using search results
Interlibrary loan—On the Detailed Record
screen, click the ILL
button to request
an item through InterLibrary Loan (ILL).
Using search results
Be sure to contact a Reference
Librarian if you have any
questions while using
FirstSearch:
•Email
•Phone 517-796-8622
•Fax 517-796-8623
•Visit the Library in Walker Hall
Atkinson Library