Tricks and Tips for Searching an Ovid Database

(Via the Web)

ALWAYS READ THE SCREENS


Search Techniques


||SUBJECT SEARCHING||KEYWORD SEARCHING||LIMITING YOUR SEARCH||
||AUTHOR SEARCHING||JOURNAL SEARCHING||CHANGE DATABASE||

Subject Searching: Locate subject headings relevant to your search by clicking in the box
Map term to Subject Heading
and entering a term or phrase. Mapping will help find relevant subject headings for your term and provide a link to citations for all records related to the specific subject. To choose from the list of suggested subject headings click in the box next to the subject heading(s) you wish to apply then, click on CONTINUE at the top of the page. You may also choose to search the term(s) you entered as a KEYWORD SEARCH by clicking on the option at the end of the list of suggested subject headings search as Keyword.

Keyword Searching: At the main search screen you are prompted to Enter Keyword or phrase.
Make sure that the box Map term to Subject Heading is not checked.

Author Search: Search for documents by a specific author by clicking on the Author icon at the top of the Main Search Page. Enter the author's last name, followed by first name or inital. Coose from the author list by clicking in the box next to the name(s) you wish to search then click on Perform Search at the top of the screen.

Journal Search: Search for documents in a specific journal title by clicking on the Journal icon at the top of the Main Search Page. Enter the name of the journal you wish to search, do not use abbreviations. Select from the list of available journal titles by clicking in the box next to the title(s) you wish to search then click on Perform Search at the top of the screen.

Change Database: Click on the Change Database icon at the top of the Main Search Page to start re-run previous searches in a different OVID database. This allows you to run previous searches without having to re-enter them in the new database. Select from the list by clicking in the box next to the name of the new database(s) you wish to open then click on any of the click to begin search to the left of the list. You will then be given the option of opening the new database(s) and re-runing your previous searches without having to re-enter them.

Where to Get Help
On-Screen Help: Click on the Help icon in the upper right portion of your screen.
The Thomas Jefferson Library Reference Desk is available to answer questions about database searching via phone or email: 314-516-5060 or e-ref@umsl.edu
The Technology Support Center (Help Desk) at 314-516-6034 offers technical support for hardware and software difficulties.

Back to the top
Go to the Electronic Resources Help Page
Go to the UM-St. Louis Library Home Page
This page is maintained by Clinton Berry, Reference Librarian at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.


Last updated April 24, 2001