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Search it! frequently asked questions

Contents

About Search it!

What is Search it!?

  • Search it! is a service that should make searching for electronic resources much easier. It allows you to search several databases at once, using a simple and consistent interface. In many cases, the results will also be shown within Search it!, either with the full text shown directly or with the familiar Find it! links to the full text.

How do I use Search it!?

  • The simplest method is:
    • Log in.
    • Select an appropriate Quickset for your subject area, or the General Subject Search Quickset.
    • Type your search keywords into the search box.
    • Click the Go button and wait for your results to show up.
  • That is of course a very much simplified set of instructions. For more detailed guidance, please see our Search it! helpsheet.

Can I use Search it! from off-campus?

  • Yes, though to obtain full text via the Find it! links you may find that you have to log in to some services which don't require a login when you are on campus. Details of how to log in to databases and other resources are available from their descriptions within Search it!, and where possible we have also tried to indicate login methods on the Find it! menu that pops up when you follow a Find it! link.

Does Search it! work with all the Library's databases?

  • No, but it lists them all.
  • Search it! interacts with our databases in one of three ways:
    Databases which work fully with Search it!
    These can be searched from within Search it! and the results can be displayed within Search it!.
    Databases which work partially with Search it!
    These can be searched from within Search it! but the results cannot be displayed within Search it!: you have to link to the database's native interface to see the results. Search it! calls these databases Search and link.
    Databases which can't be searched from within Search it!
    These are still listed so you don't miss any resources which might be useful, and information is provided as with the other databases. You can't select them for cross-searching, but you can follow the link from the title to the native interface to search them as you would have before Search it!.

Which databases are searchable via Search it!?

  • We don't maintain a separate list, however:
    • If you use the Find Database section of Search it! you can browse through all the available databases (use the alphabetical links, or perform a search). Be warned, though: there are a lot of them!
    • In the resulting lists, all the databases which are searchable via Search it! have a magnifying glass icon in the Actions column. Those without the magnifying glass icon can only be linked to for searching using their native interfaces (follow the link from the database title).

Using Search it!

Can I restrict my search to full-text resources only?

  • There is really no way of restricting your search to full-text resources but Search it! results do give an indication if full-text
    articles are available.
  • To the right of each record is a small two-coloured square icon (Find it! icon): this is the Find It! link. If you click on it, you will see an information box which will allow you to see if full-text is available; there is no guarantee that it is, but at least it's a chance to check quickly.
  • Additionally you may also see an icon with the letters FT: this is a guarantee that full-text is available. If there is a tick mark in the FT box, then it's a guarantee that the article is peer-reviewed. Clicking on the FT link will take you to the Find it! link for the particular journal.

Can I exclude databases from my search?

  • Quicksets don't allow you to exclude databases, but the Customised Search option does allow you to pick and choose which databases you'd like to search:
    • Follow the Customised Search link at the top of the Search it! website.
    • A drop-down menu appears.
    • Click on the down arrow by General Subject Search to view a list of all the Categories available.
    • Select the Category and, if available, the Subcategory most relevant to your subject.
    • The list of databases in this Category/Subcategory is displayed.
    • There is a small box to the left of the title of the databases which are searchable within Search it!
    • You can select and deselect databases by clicking on these boxes.
    • Only those databases which have a tick mark in the box will be searched.
    • When you view the list of results, they are displayed in order of the databases searched. To view them in ranked order (ie, in order of relevance) click on the View Combined Results link at the top of the list of results.

Within Categories/Subcategories, there are resources which do not have boxes to tick. How can I search these?

  • Some resources cannot be searched within Search it! but are listed so that you know that they exist.
  • You can link to their websites by clicking on their title but before you do, it's a good idea to click on the small i icon (info icon) to view any login instructions which are provided.
  • In most cases because you have already logged in to Search it!, you will not need to login again. In other cases, an additional login is required (particularly if you are off-campus).

Advanced options

Can I import search results from Search it! into Endnote?

  • Yes!
  • To import a single record:
    1. First open your target library in EndNote or EndNoteWeb.
    2. From the results list, click on the title of the record to show it in Full View.
    3. Click on the disc icon.
    4. In the pop-up box, change the record format from Standard to Endnote or EndNote Web as desired and click on Save.
    5. If you are using Internet Explorer, a pop-up blocker bar may appear. Click on the bar and then select Download File... from the menu. Then, a Choose destination dialogue box will appear. Ensure EndNote or EndNote Web is selected as appropriate and click OK.
    6. If you are using FireFox, a dialogue box will appear and you will be asked to indicate which program you wish to use to open the record. Ensure EndNote or EndNote Web is selected as appropriate and click OK.
    7. The record will be transferred automatically into your EndNote or EndNoteWeb library.
  • To import multiple records:
    1. First open your target library in EndNote or EndNoteWeb.
    2. On the list of search results, save the records which you would like to export by clicking on the plus (+) icon beside each record.
    3. The records will be saved in My Research.
    4. Go to My Research, My Results and select the items you want to export with the checkboxes.
    5. Click on the link that says Selected.
    6. In the pop-up box, click Save.
    7. Change the record format from Standard to Endnote or EndNote Web as desired and click on Save.
    8. If you are using Internet Explorer, a pop-up blocker bar may appear. Click on the bar and then select Download File... from the menu. Then, a Choose destination dialogue box will appear. Ensure EndNote or EndNote Web is selected as appropriate and click OK.
    9. If you are using FireFox, a dialogue box will appear and you will be asked to indicate which program you wish to use to open the record. Ensure EndNote or EndNote Web is selected as appropriate and click OK.
    10. The records will be transferred automatically into your EndNote or EndNote Web library.

Troubleshooting Search it!

I'm unable to connect at all to Search it! from home/work. Why?

  • It's possible that the ports required to access Search it! have been blocked, either by your corporate firewall or your local security software in your computer.
  • If you are using your own computer on your own internet connection:
    • Make sure your local security software (eg Windows Firewall, or a security suite such as ZoneAlarm, Norton or similar) isn't blocking ports 446 and 8335. Unfortunately, due to the large number of security packages and different computer systems available, we are unable to offer more detailed help on how to do this: please consult the online help for your software, or the manufacturer's support.
    • If you use a domestic router and a wired or wireless network connection to it, it's also possible that the ports may be blocked at the router. Again, due to the huge number of routers on the market, we are unable to offer more detailed help on how to do this: please consult the online help for your software, or the manufacturer's support. If the router was supplied by your ISP, they may be able to help.
    • If you are sure the ports are not being blocked on your machine or local network, it is possible that they may be blocked by your ISP. This is unlikely, but if all other checks have revealed nothing, it's worth asking them.
  • If you are using your own computer and connecting to a public wireless network:
    • If you have used Search it! before on that computer when using a different network, the ports are probably blocked by the network.
    • You will need to ask the network supplier if they can unblock ports 446 and 8335.
  • If you are using a computer on a corporate network:
    • You will need to ask your network administrators if the ports are blocked, either on the computer or by the network firewall.
    • The ports that need to be open are 446 and 8335.

Why have I received an Authorization Failed message when trying to log into Search It!?

  • Due to licensing restrictions, we are unable to offer all of our services to users other than current MMU staff and internal students.
  • If you are a current member of MMU staff or an internal student, you may have been denied access because of a problem with your network account. Contact your nearest Library helpdesk or the IT Services helpline for assistance.
  • If you fall into one of the following categories, please follow the relevant link for information on which services and resources are available to you:

I've logged into Search it! but only one quickset - Associates and Guests - seems to be available to me. Why?

  • Your username and password have identified you as having an MMU guest network account. People in this category include retired members of staff, emeritus professors, visiting academics, guests, and other individuals who are neither MMU employees (ie, on the MMU payroll) nor MMU students.
  • Our suppliers' licences allow guests to access a very restricted set of subscription-based electronic resources. The Associates and Guests Quickset allows you to search a selection of mutlidisciplinary resources, both subscription-based and free.
  • If you follow the Customised Search link on the Search it! website, you will see additional listings of more subject-based electronic resources, some of which may also be available to you.

How can I report problems with Search it! or ask further questions about the service?

Technical information

What is the technology behind the Search it! service

  • The Search it! service is a metasearch tool, using the MetaLib software by ExLibris.

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MH/JW April 2010