USING WEB-BASED INFOTRAC DATABASES
IN "ADVANCED SEARCH" MODE

1. On the World Wide Web, link to http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/plan_skyline . If you are using a computer at Cañada, CSM or Skyline libraries or at any public library in San Mateo County, skip to step 2.

1a. If you are using a computer somewhere other than at the libraries listed above, enter your Library Card Number from your PLAN library card (Peninsula Library System) in the entry box. (Be sure to click in the box before you type your number.) [See example.]

2. Select Academic ASAP by clicking on either the large square icon to the left of the Academic ASAP database description or on the "start searching" link at the end of the description.

3. At the search screen, click on "Advanced search" on the left column to switch to the advanced search mode.

4. Click in the entry box, type in your search terms for your first concept, with OR between each term and then click the "Search" button.

Example: illegal immigration OR illegal aliens OR undocumented workers

To view the results for your search scroll down to the bottom of the page and look under "History". This will show your "search history"-- the results of each of your searches in the current search session. The results of each search is given a different "set number" starting with R1 and continuing consecutively with R2, R3, etc.

5. Repeat step 4 for each additional concept. (Erase previous search terms as necessary.)

6. To find citations dealing with both your first concept and your second concept, click in the search box again, erase any previous search terms, and type: R1 AND R2; then click the "Search" button. Follow the same procedure to further limit your search by "ANDing" any additional sets you have previously created. For example, if you have three concepts, enter R3 AND R4 to find citations dealing with your first and second concept (R4) and your third concept (R3).

7. To view the citations for any set, click the "View" link for that set.

8. Once you have displayed a list of citations, follow the instructions follow the InfoTrac Subject Guide instructions starting with step 5 (click here).

Logical Operators: AND OR NOT

Truncation/Wild Cards:

* (matches any number of characters)

(Use * after the word root to find all words beginning with the same root. e.g. VEGETA* finds citations referring to "vegetable", "vegetables", "vegetation", "vegetarian", etc.)

? matches one character (e.g.. WOM?N finds "woman" or "women")

! matches one or no characters (e.g.. COLO!R finds "color" or "colour")

Field Searching:

To limit search terms to a specific field, EITHER
type a field label, skip a space, then type the search term(s).
For example: JN SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN.
Search terms include: journal name (jn), title (ti), subject heading (su), author (au), date (da), text word (tx), abstract (ab) or keyword (ke) -OR-
click on the "Select Index" pull-down menu (to the left of the search box) to display available fields and field labels and then select the desired field from the list.

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These materials may be used for educational purposes if you inform and credit the author and cite the source as: LSCI 105 Online Research. All commercial rights are reserved. Send comments or suggestions to: Eric Brenner at brenner@smcccd.cc.ca.us