MetaLib: Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is MetaSearch?
2. Why do I need MetaSearch?
3. How do I access MetaSearch?
4. How do I use MetaSearch?
5. How do I use Find e-Journals?
6. How do I use My Research?
7. Saving your results
8. Why doesn't Metasearch work for some databases?
9. Why can't I save to My Research from the e-journals page?
   
   Need More Help ?
   
   Library Home | Library Catalog

1. What is MetaSearch?

• MetaSearch provides a single point of access to the library's electronic resources including article databases, web sites and electronic journals. MetaSearch allows you to search multiple databases at once. You can search multiple resources through one common search interface.

2. Why do I need MetaSearch?

• Metasearch allows discovery of high quality online resources in a quick and efficient way and allows searching several selected online resources simultaneously.
• Metasearch allows you to build your own list of resources and save and store references.

3. How do I access MetaSearch?

• MetaSearch is available via links found on the Library Home Page, including research subject guide web pages.
• Metasearch is available both on and off campus.

4. How do I use MetaSearch?

Quick Search -- You can use Quick Search to find information in Quick Search categories containing pre-selected Library resources in various academic areas.

Find Database

Use "Find Database" to view a listing of resources by discipline or to search for specific databases by title.

To Discover databases/resources by category (subject/discipline):

S 1 Click the Category tab S 2 Select the category and sub-category. S 3 Click Go and then the title of your chosen resource.

Select the Titles tab to search for specific databases.

The Locate Tab allows you to search by Database Vendor, Any Word (keyword) or Type of Resource.

Database List: Within every category you may select the Database List link to view a listing of all of the databases and resources available.

 

5. How do I use Find e-Journals?

MetaSearch gives you access to the library's electronic journals via Find e-Journal.
You can link directly to the e-journal or click the SFX button for further options.

To access a specific journal title:

S 1 Select Find e-Journals and click on the E-journals tab S 2 Click a letter from the A-Z list or type in the name of the title and    click Go . S 3 Click the e-journal title. This will take you directly to the e-journal    or will give you a list of resources that provide the e-journal.    Clicking the database title will take you directly to  the e-journal

6. How do I use My Research?

• With My Research , you can compile your own list of favorite resources by clicking on the plus icon next to to the resource title.
  Remember you must LOG IN to view your Database List.
• Use Mylist to keep selected records in a personal folder(s) for use in future sessions. Items may be added to your folder(s) from the Search Results area or from within the Full View of a record.
• Use the History feature to display your search history from the current session (which can be saved for future sessions) as well as previously saved searches.
• Alerts -- You can arrange to be notified by email each time new records have been added that meet the conditions of your search.
• Preferences -- You can set your own preferences for screen display and the number of returned results per page.

7. Saving Your Results

• After completing a search, add wanted references to the basket icon and then click My Research (this will take you to My List) and view the 'basket folder'.
• To save the references to disk or computer, select Full View and click on the disk icon.
• To email a reference, select the Full View and click on the letter icon.
• To save the reference to a folder in your e-shelf, click on 'advanced'. You can then select the references you wish to move over into your folders.
  

8. Why doesn't Metasearch work for some databases?

• MetaLib works best using IE6 and is a developing product so some vendors do not allow or have not yet created compliancy with their databases. Of our 296 databases, about 100 databases do not metasearch. These may be divided into three categories:
  
  a) Database providers not permitting metasearching
  • OCLC/FirstSearch (although 13 of the 27 OCLC/FirstSearch databases are permitted to metasearch), LOC (Library of Congress), NetLibrary, Lexis, Westlaw.

  b) Metasearching does not work with non article databases like directories, publisher’s websites, encyclopedias, ready reference sources, citation managers, and statistics resources. Examples of vendors producing these kind of databases are Standard and Poors, CCH, Compustat,Value Line, Bowker, Cabell’s, Mergent, RDS, StatUSA, Silver Platter’s Mental Measurements Yearbook, PALMM, and GALE (of the 23 Gale Databases, 12 are not conducive to metasearching).

  c) Some sets of databases may only be searched as a group (metasearched) from the database provider’s website. Usually, individual databases within these sets are searchable using metasearch. Examples of these resources are Cambridge Scientific Abstracts, Cambridge Journals Online, EbscoHost, PsycNET, Science Complete, Science Direct, ProQuest Direct, Newstand (ProQuest), and SciFinder Scholar.

9. Why Can't I save to My Research from the E-Journals Page?

• When you go to the e-journals tab, you are actually leaving the MetaLib search engine and switching to a different product called SFX. My Research is a function of MetaLib, so you cannot save searches via SFX. Remember, always save your searches before clicking the Find IT button.