The need for cross-searching
It is possible to spend a lot of time locating and then searching through information resources, and then finding poor information sources. A cross-search interface can reduce the amount of time taken to search for and discover new information sources.
An example of a cross-search interface is GetRef -- http://edina.ac.uk/getref. The GetRef service provides a cross-searching interface that enables you to search a number of databases at one time. This can reduce the amount of time spent searching each database individually and can open up a number of new information sources to you. When you have used a system like GetRef a few times you may find that you usually get the best results from the same few databases. In the future you would the directly search these particular databases for information. So GetRef helps you to identify the most appropriate sources for your topic.
To be able to access GetRef you need a login and password. If you do not have this please speak to your lecturer or subject librarian to see if they can help you.
At the present time GetRef offers one search option, which may be extended to an advanced search in the future. You are given the following search parameters:
- searching for all of the words (the same as using the AND operator)
- searching for any of the words (the same as using the OR operator)
The list of results generated by GetRef also includes information about which subject each database has found the matches in, for, e.g., history, ecology, policy, etc. This information can help you assess which results are going to be most relevant.
It is a good idea to do a general search on the topic in which you are interested in to see if any of the databases linked to the cross-search interface are relevant. From there you can then access the relevant databases and carry out advanced searches. Your library will provide guides on how to carry out searches on specific databases.
Once you have found references to articles in journals that you want to find. Check your Library catalogue first for the journal title, but remember many databases cover the whole of a specific subject area and it is unlikely that all of the journals for that area will be held by your Library. Ask a Librarian if you need further help locating particular journals that are not held in your Library.
Example
Rachel uses GetRef to identify which databases will be relevant to her topic. Rachel finds that the best results are in three databases. She then accesses these databases directly and carries out advanced searches using her keywords that she had already identified and the database guides available from her Library web pages.
Further Work
- Try out the GetRef service. Choose a topic that you studied recently and see if you can find any new information sources from cross searching.
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