The Library subscribes to several dozen EBSCO databases. The search screens will look very similar, but some of the limits and other functions may differ slightly. Subject terms are NOT consistent from database to database.
1. Searching Academic Search Ultimate
To begin searching enter search terms in the boxes provided.
- Each keyword/keyword phrase should be entered in a separate search box.
- Phrases can be entered in quotes (example: "gun control").
- To truncate a word add an * to the root of the word. For example, entering charit* will find charity, charities, charitable, etc.
- The sort default is Relevance. Change to another sort option via the drop-down at the top of the Search Results.
2. Setting Limits and Refining Search Options
Limits can be very helpful in focusing a search and may be set at any time during the course of a search.
Limits may be applied using the search options on the initial screen, prior to beginning a search. The default category for Boolean/Phrase is usually sufficient.
Note: Limits vary in the individual EBSCO databases.
- Initial limits may be set when beginning a search.
- After a search has begun limits may be applied via the options on the left side of the screen.
- Limiters applied will appear at the top of the Refine Results column on the left side of the page. Limits can be removed by clicking on the X in the Current Search box.
Limit examples include:
- Full Text: Not recommended!! This will eliminate access to links to full-text in other databases provided by the Discover feature.
- Source Types: Limit to articles published in a specific periodical type.
- Publication Date: Change the date of the results by moving the slider bar to desired date range.
- Subject: Thesaurus Term: Subject headings present in results from the current search. Use these to focus a search. Note: Clicking on one of these will combine the subject terms with the previous search, often resulting in significantly fewer results. A suggested strategy is to choose a subject from within a record or copy and paste the new subject into one of the search boxes.
- Subject: Generally author assigned keywords. These are often not assigned subjects within a database. Subject: Thesaurus Term is usually more helpful.