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 only search these particular databases for information.
To be able to access GetRef you need a login and password. If you do not have this please speak to your tutor or local College 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)
Remember that cross-searching interfaces often reference different databases so don't worry if you sometimes get a list of different databases.
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. When you have found the list of references to articles in journals that you want to find ask your librarian, tutor or fellow students where they are available. It may be possible for your librarian to track down a copy of the journal you are looking for, don't be afraid to ask for help.
Example
Kate is going to use GetRef to see if she can find any new information sources. She is particularly interested in finding any research by Professor David Starkey. Kate finds that the best results are in two databases. She then works through the results of these two databases. Many of the returned results are relevant.
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.
|
