OCLC FirstSearch

Available On Campus Only

!!! Important: Before using OCLC FirstSearch, please be sure that you have read the information below.

FirstSearch is a Web-based information system for searching online databases. A database is a collection of related resources on a specific topic or from a specific source. Each entry in a database is called a record.

Contents

See also:

Parts of the screen

FirstSearch screens are divided into three main areas--Navigation Menu, Control Panel, and the action or task area. Use the Navigation Menu to move between functions such as selecting databases, searching, and using results. Check the Control Panel for status information, tips, and specialized tools such as online help. Use the action/task area to enter searches, view search results, or perform other actions.

Additional tip:
Browse the context-sensitive online help for detailed information on FirstSearch features and functions. Click the Help button to view help in a pop-up window.

Selecting a database
In the Navigation Menu, FirstSearch provides the following three options for selecting a database under the Databases link:

The Database list
Select—Click the checkbox in front of each database you would like to search (up to three). 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.

Est. Results—Displays estimated results for key terms (appears only on the Suggest Best screen).

Database—Displays the name of the database. Click to search in just one database.

Description—Displays a short description of the database.

Info—Click the Info button to view detailed information on the database.

Full text—Displays the Full Text icon if online full text is available.

Searching:

Basic Search
The Basic Search screen provides up to three search indexes and a single search box. Use the Basic search if you are new to online searching or if you need quick results using a simple search statement.

Advanced Search
The Advanced Search screen lets you construct more complex search statements. Up to three search strings and three indexes can be combined using Boolean operators ( AND , OR , and NOT ) selected from drop-down menus. More search limits are available at this level.


Expert Search
The Expert Search screen is designed for experienced searchers who prefer to enter logical search strings. Reference information on constructing a search is displayed at the bottom of the screen. A list of indexes and index labels is provided in a single drop-down menu. To search for all resources related to coffee that are written by Elizabeth Alston, you can enter alston elizabeth and kw:coffee and select the author index from the drop-down menu. The author index will apply only to the unlabeled terms alston elizabeth.


Other search features:

Search statements
Search statements are made up of search terms combined with special search characters or labels and Boolean operators.

Building search statements

To search for
Use
Example
Results
Subject Information
any word
or words
frost
many results (common word)
sangfroid
few results
(rare words)
Catagories of Information
index labels

su:sleep
ti:once
subject sleep, once in titles
Exact Phrase
"quotes"
"tunnel vision"
tunnel vision
Plurals
plus sign +
plant+

plant,
plants,
plants',
plant's
plantes,
plantes'

Variants or part of a word
wildcard
*, #, or ?
zebu*

zebu,
zebulon,
zebutte
all words
AND
cold AND zinc

cold
and
zinc
one or all words
OR
cold OR zinc

cold,
zinc,
and
cold
and
zinc

one word but not another
NOT
cold NOT weather
cold but not
cold weather
words near each other, given order
W
cold w2 common
cold followed within
2 words by common
words near each other, any order
n
cold n3 common
cold and common, within 3 words of
each other

Using Index Label

Use an index label and
When your search includes
Examples
colon ( : ) individual words or
fragments of phrases		 kw:airline security
search operators ( w or n ) kw:alcohol w2 fetal
other special search characters, such as the plus sign (+) or asterisk (*) ti:(ocean+ or sea+) and pollut*
equal sign ( = ) exact phrases as in names and titles ti=alice in wonderland

Using search results

Viewing a detailed record—To view a detailed record from the List of Records screen, click on the record title. To return to the List of Records screen, click the List of Records link in the Navigation Menu.

Sorting records—Click the Sort button to select sort options for a set of results containing 200 or fewer records. Available sort options will vary by database.

Expanding and limiting a search—To find more records similar to those you have already found, click the Expand button . To select a subset of the records you have already found, click the Limit button .

Marking a subset of records—Mark records to work with a smaller subset of a results list. Click the checkbox for each record you would like to mark. Use the Mark All button to mark all records on a page or the Clear Marks button to unmark all records on the list. Click the Marked Records link in the Navigation Menu to view, e-mail, or save to disk the records you have marked.

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.

Printing—Click the Print button to reformat a page of results you would like to print. Reformatting will temporarily remove the Navigation Menu and the Control Panel. Use your browser's print function to print the reformatted screen. Click the Return button to return to the original format.

E-mailing—Click the E-mail button to e-mail records, holdings information, or full text copy.

Library ownership information—The My Library Owns icon is displayed with any resource that your library or information center owns. On the Detailed Record screen, click the Libraries button to view a list of libraries that hold a particular library resource.

Click to search: OCLC FirstSearch

Reminder: Reference Staff are available for help.