Use MultiSearch
| What is MultiSearch? | Next Results |
| Search Tips | TUlink Integration |
| Search Results | Abstract Display |
| Clustered Results | Deduplication |
| Sort Options | Export, Save, and Email |
| New or Refined Search |
What is MultiSearch?
MultiSearch is a federated search engine for simultaneously searching many of the Library's databases from one simple interface. MultiSearch provides citations and abstracts, as well as linking opportunities to full-text articles, electronic books, and records in the library's catalog.Search Tips
Using the Basic search page:- Select a subject(s) or database(s)
- Enter your search
- Hit Search (or Return)
Use the Advanced search page for expanded searching options like a "search type" menu (keyword, title, author, isbn, etc.), the "Year" search limiter to enter a specific date, and advanced Boolean searching (AND, OR, NOT). Phrase searching works too: put "quotation marks" around your search phrase to return more precise results.
With both the Basic and Advanced search options, you can choose which databases to search. If you aren't sure where to begin but you know what subject area(s) you are interested in researching, click on "Search by subject" to choose from a list of subject categories. You can also choose your own set of databases by clicking on "Search by database" and checking off databases from the list.
Search Results
As MultiSearch gathers your search results, you will see the databases at work. Within seconds, databases return results, and the search page will present live updates. You will see which databases have returned results first, and you can click on the number to view the results as the remaining databases continue searching.Clustered Results
Clustered results sort your MultiSearch results into categories, to help save you time in deciding which results are most appropriate for your purposes. Clustering can also help you refine your search, by giving you new ideas for your search query.
Use Results by Source to filter your search results to show only those from specific databases. The number of results for each database is shown in parentheses next to each database's name. Click on the results number to view a particular database's results.
Sort Options
All of your options for sorting your search results are located in the header above your results. These links allow you to sort your search results by publication date, title, author, or source. If your results contain publication dates, they will be automatically sorted by date unless you choose another sort option. (Note: Sorting will only sort the batches that have been retrieved. Each batch usually consists of 20 results per database searched. See the "Next Results" section below.)
New or Refined Search
At the top of the page, above your clustered results, are your "Refine Search" and "New Search" links. Refine Search takes you back to your original search query where you can edit and run the search again. New Search takes you to a fresh search page to start a new query.Next Results
To get results to you as quickly as possible, results are returned in small batches. When you reach your final page of results you can click on the "Next Results" link to see the next batch of results from the providers.
You will be taken to the next page of results. The new set will be automatically appended to the original results set. Use the "merge" icon if you prefer to combine all results into one list. This sorts the list according to your selected sorting method -- by default, Date.
You may also retrieve more results from a favorite source by first clicking on the provider or database name in the "Results by Source" menu and then clicking on "Next Results" on the last page. The next set of results for just that source is returned.
TUlink Integration
Some of your results may not include a link to full-text content. If this is the case, a TUlink "Find full-text" icon will appear on most results to see if full-text is available in another database. If you can't find the full-text through any of these links, you should try searching in the library catalog or submitting an Interlibrary Loan request. Ask a Librarian for more information.
Abstract Display
An abstract summarizes the content of a citation, so that you can get an idea of what the article will cover before actually jumping to it. Some search results will return with a link to these summaries. Clicking on this link will reveal the abstract, and another click will hide it again.
Deduplication
When a search finds duplicate results, you will see a "Duplicate Records" link. Only one of the duplicate records will be shown with a link to the others. When you click on the Duplicate Records link, you will see a new page with all of the duplicate results listed.Export, Save, and Email
Above your results are links to email, export, or save selected results. To select records, use the checkboxes next to each result. Once results are selected, the "Email" and "Export/Save" links are activated.
Clicking on "selected records" link from the results page allows you to view only your selections in a new window.
Clicking on "Email" prompts you to fill out a form. On the form, you may choose to send your selected records in a format compatible with bibliographic citation managers like EndNote or ProCite, in plain text, or in HTML.
Clicking on "Export/Save" prompts you to fill out a similar form. You may choose to export your selected records directly to RefWorks, or to save the records either in a format compatible with bibliographic citation managers like EndNote or ProCite, as plain text, or as HTML.
This page last updated: February 26, 2008