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Searching EBSCOhost 2.0 databases

Starting

The simplest way to search EBSCOhost is to use the "Find journal articles and more" search box on the Swinburne Library Homepage and select the button next to EBSCOhost. This will search all EBSCOhost databases.

To search only one or two EBSCOhost databases go to http://www.swinburne.edu.au/lib/database/ebsco.htm. Select Go to EBSCOhost research databases .

At the Choose Databases screen, click checkboxes next to the database names to make selections, then click Continue.

Basic Search

  • Enter your search terms in the Search box
  • Click on Search Options to refine your search
  • Select from Search Modes to expand a search or Limit your results by date, peer reviewed, full text or to one publication.

Advanced Search

To perform an advanced search click on the link to Advanced Search underneath the Search box.

  • Truncation and Wildcards
    An asterisk at the end of a word finds different endings. For example, comput* searches computer, computers, computing, etc.
    A question mark can replace any single unknown letter. For example, organi?ation finds organisation and organization.

  • Phrase searching
    For best results, enclose a phrase in quotation marks " ". For example, "Kevin Rudd"

  • Boolean operators
    Choose and, or, not from the dropdown list to combine search terms. For example,

    "greenhouse effect" and Australia
    Telstra or Optus
    Olympics not winter

  • Use the Select a Field drop-down list to search specific fields like author, article title, & journal name. If you want to add more words, click the Add Row link.

Viewing your search results

The result list screen has 3 columns - Narrow results by, All Results, and Limit your results.

  • All Results screen - displays found articles
    The article title link shows a brief citation. Put the mouse over Preview to view an Abstract.
    The HTML Full Text link takes you to the article full text.
    The PDF Full Text link uses Adobe Reader to display an image of a full page scan.
    The Relevancy indicator shows how well the article relates to your search words.

  • Narrow your results - by source type, subject, and more

  • Limit your results - apply limits direct from the Result List. Click on a limit checkbox then click Update to display revised results. (You can refine your search more using the Search Options link)

  • Related Information - displays extra information like images, blogs, and Web news.

You can hide or show these areas by clicking the control arrows near the top of your results.

Printing/E-mailing/Saving Results

  • Click the Print, E-mail, or Save icon and follow the directions to print, e-mail, or save a result.

  • To save an article to the Folder, click the Add to Folder link at the bottom of your result. To view the items in your Folder, click the Go to Folder View link. Your Folder lets you print/e-mail/save multiple results at once.

  • To save results for future use, sign in to your My EBSCOhost account. Then any results in your Folder can be saved and viewed again.