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SuperSearch FAQ

What is SuperSearch?

• Searches up to 8 database resources using one interface.
• Merge duplicate records from multiple databases.
• Create a list of favorite resources.
• Store personal searches for future use and set up e-mail alerts.
• Link to individual resources for more advanced searching.
• Link to full text and other options using

Who can use SuperSearch? How do I login?

SuperSearch is available to all students, faculty and staff. On-campus or off-campus access to all Stout users is available by logging into SuperSearch using a Stout e-mail username and password.

In the PDS-Patron Directory Services window, type in your Stout e-mail username (User ID) and password. For Institution, click on the down arrow in the pull down menu, highlight UW-Stout and click on Login. The Custom Search screen will appear.

What resources are available in SuperSearch?

SuperSearch provides access to a variety of online resources including journal/periodical databases, journal/periodical articles, dictionaries, library catalogs, encyclopedias, etc. Many of the databases are full text.

• Quick Search: Click on Quick Search to perform a Google-like search on multiple databases. The QuickSearch indexes include Academic Search Elite (EBSCO), Masterfile Premier (EBSCO), Omnifile FT Mega (Wilson) and the UW-Stout Catalog. Two other Quick Search sets are available for searching the UW System libraries simultaneously.
• Custom Search: Click on Custom Search to search Quick Sets, Categories, or locate a Database. Category searching allows you to find and search one or more databases grouped by subject.
• Find Resource : Click on Find Resource to find a specific database or to see which databases contain full text. Find a database by using the Title, Locate, or Category tabs. Ex: Academic Search Elite (EBSCO)
• Find Journal: Click on Find Journal to find a specific journal, magazine or newspaper that provide full text in a database.
• My Research: Click on My Research to set up your personal preferences for searching SuperSearch, including selected records or databases for future use.

How do I search more than one resource?

Many of the resources within SuperSearch are cross-searchable, meaning they can be searched simultaneously regardless of the vendor. For other resources which do not have cross-searchability, you must link directly to the resources in order to search them, also known as linking to the "native interface." The "native interface" allows you to use any of the special features a vendor may provide and may be a better approach for complex searching.

When resources are listed in the categories there are boxes that can be checked or unchecked depending on if one or more databases are to be searched simultaneously. If there are more than 8 databases listed the boxes will be unchecked and you can select up to 8 to search. If there are less than 8 all the databases will be checked and all can be searched at the same time or uncheck the ones not wanted. To help facilitate searching there are three sub-categories, Basic, Core and All.

• Basic Sub-Categories have been created so that the basic databases for a subject plus the UW-Stout Catalog may be searched simultaneously.
• Core Sub-Categories include all databases relevant to the subject. Select multiple databases by checking the boxes.
• All Sub-Categories include all the databases listed in the subject sub-categories. Select multiple databases by checking the boxes.

What methods are available for searching?

The two primary methods for searching are Simple and Advanced.

• Simple: allows you to create a search with truncation and Boolean operators. Ex: test anxiety and college student?
• Advanced: allows you to create a complex search using keywords, specific fields (all words [keywords], subjects, authors, titles, etc.) and Boolean operators to combine terms. Type in a term in a search box. The pull down menus select the fields to search and what Boolean operator to use. [Default Search]

What are truncation and Boolean operators?

• Truncation: This is a way to search for words beginning with the word stem followed by a question mark (?). For example, type: walk? to find the words walk, walks, or walker, etc. There is no consistent standard for truncating in SuperSearch as some databases use the ? and some use *. If one symbol doesn't work, try the other--or do separate searches for singular and plural or other word endings--or resort to using the native interface.
• Boolean Operators: This is a way to search by combining terms using logic.
  • And - combines search terms so that each search result contains all of the terms. Ex: travel and europe
  • Or - combines search terms so that each search result contains at least one of the terms. Ex: colleges or universities
  • Not - excludes terms so that each search result does not contain any of the terms that follow it. Ex: television not cable

What do the graphic icons mean in SuperSearch?

SuperSearch uses a number of graphic icons (symbols) as shortcuts for descriptive information for an action, searching, saving records to user's personal space, etc.

• = describes a database and provides searching tips
• = adds the database to your personal sets (My Research)
• = search a database using the SuperSearch interface
• = deletes an action, such as a selected database from My Research
• = moves a database to your e-Shelf database set
• = to view more results or records
• = saves a record to your PC
• = sends a record via e-mail
• = view a record in its original format
• = save a record to your e-Shelf folder in My Research
• or or link to full text or other options
• = indicates that full text is available in a database
• = saves as icon. Used in My Research
• = delete a folder in My Research
• = update icon in My Research
• = save Alert
• = edit Alert

How do I view the results after a search?

There are three ways to view results:

• Results List/Table View shows the title of the article/book, author, year and database. More records are available on the screen at a time. After a search is performed Table View is the display default. Select the other two types of views from the Table View.
• Brief View displays results one after another and includes the same information as in the Table View plus the journal/periodical title, volume, page and date. Click on Table View (upper left) to return to the result list.
• Full View shows the most information including an abstract and full text if available one record at a time. Click on Table View (upper left) to return to the result list.

Sometimes only a subset of all the results are shown.

• To retrieve more records, click on Next to retrieve records from the next screen. Type in a record number in the Jump to # box and click on to "jump" directly to that record. This is only available when viewing records from one database.
• To see the results grouped by database, click on "view results by databases" (just above the results list). Click on a database name to see the results in that database.
• The "resource" field provides a link to the article in the native interface for many of the databases, but not all databases provide a direct link in SuperSearch.
• If searching more than one database, the results list will consist of combined records of all the databases searched.

What if I want to sort my results?

You may sort results by rank (relevance), title, author, year or database. Sorting however, is not available for every database.

To sort, click on the down arrow in pull down menu and select the sort type (upper right of the screen).

What are Clusters and Facets?

The Clusters and Facets panel will appear on the right side of the search results listing.

• Clusters - A cluster is a link with the number of records found for a prominent topic (subject). Click on the cluster link and the article records will appear. Results are only clustered in custom search when the combined results are viewed.
• Facets - Facets are record elements that are grouped by dates, author or journal titles. Click on the facet link and a list of records for the facet will appear.

How do I find an article after viewing the results?

The Table View, Brief View, and Full View pages all provide several options for viewing articles.

• Article Title: Click on the Article Title to view the full record. If available, full text
  • will be displayed at the end of the record.
  • will be displayed by clicking on the link in the "External" field of the record if if the article is in PDF format.
• Resource Link: Click on the Resource Link to view the article in the "native interface." This does not work for every database. If the article does not appear, you may have to recreate your search in the database's native interface.
• Link: Click on the Find it! Link to generate a menu that may provide links to full text articles from other vendors.

How do I search and request a book or AV item from another UW library?

A sub-category is available for searching the UW System libraries simultaneously..

• To request a book or AV item from another UW library use Universal Borrowing (UB).
• Select Books from Categories located in the left column.
• Click on UW System/UB.
• Click on the UW System Catalogs/UB native interface link. The Stout Library Catalog UB page will appear.
• Select All Universal Borrowing Libraries.
• Click on the Connect button.
• Login with your UW Stout username and 7-digit Student ID number.
• The default will be UB, click OK.
• Complete and submit the UB form. You will need to copy and paste the title you are requesting. UB Instructions are available to help you complete a request.
• A UB request can be sent to a UW library of your choice to be picked up; notification will be sent by e-mail.

How can I get an article or a book/AV item if it's not available full text or from a UW library?

Not all materials that you might need will be available from Stout or UW libraries. You may need to request other items such as periodical articles through the library's interlibrary loan service, ILLiad.

• Select the indexes to search from one of the Quick Search Indexes or Subject Categoies drop down menus by clicking in the appropriate checkboxes.
• From the resulting list, click on the button.
• If a link to full text is not available, and the journal is not held by the library, click on the Go button for ILLiad and login with your UW Stout username and 7-digit Stout ID number.
• The form will automatically be filled out with the information from the index. Sometimes not all the information appears and you will need to copy and paste the information that is needed.
• Click on Submit. Usually the article will be sent in electronic format to your Stout e-mail account. Interlibrary Loan Instructions are available.

How can I save my results?

The best method is to save to My Research.

Save to My Research:

• From any of the result views, click on the Folder Icon . The folder icon will change and include a plus sign (+). This indicates the article information that has been put into My Research. There is no limit to the number of articles that can be selected.
• Click on the My Research link in the upper toolbar.
• Place a check mark next to the article information to save.
• Click on the Save As Icon .
• A Save As window will appear. Type in a folder (file) name and click Save. The article information will be saved to your personal folder, accessible anytime you are logged into SuperSearch.

Delete in My Research:

• Click on My Research in the upper toolbar.
• Place a check mark next the the article information to delete.
• Click on the Delete Action Icon to remove the article.
• Click on Trash Can Icon to delete the whole folder.

What if I only want to search certain databases when I login to SuperSearch? (My Space)

SuperSearch allows you the option of creating your own database list or set, so that when you personally login the databases are already selected.

Create a Personal List (Set) of Databases:

• Login to SuperSearch using your Stout email username and password.
• Click on Find Resource from the upper toolbar.
• Select the database(s) by clicking on the Plus Icon to add the database to your list.
• Click on My Research and then My Resources in the upper toolbars.
• Click on the Create Folder Icon and a window will appear. Type in a name for the list (set) and click on Save.
• Click on the Left Arrow Icon to move the database into a set on the left of the screen.
• To save the set, click on the Save As Icon .
• Type in a folder (file) name and click Save. The set of databases will be saved to your personal folder, accessible anytime you are logged onto SuperSearch.
• To give the set a description, click on the Update Icon .

View a List (Set):

• To view a personal list, click on Quick Search from the upper toolbar.
• All personal lists will be displayed above the Quick Search sets.
• Perform a search in your personal list.

Note: Only databases with the Magnifying Glass Icon can be searched from the Quick Search screen. Databases without the Magnifying Glass Icon can only be searched one-at-a-time by going into the native interface (click on the database name).

Delete a List (Set):

• Click on My Research then My Resources from the upper toolbars.
• Select the Set from the pull down menu.
• Click on the Trash Can Icon , a window will appear asking if you want to delete the set, click OK.

What if I want to re-run a search on a regular basis?

SuperSearch allows you to save searches so you can re-run them at a later date. You can also run a search automatically, by setting up an alert. Alerts can be run at an interval you specify (ex: daily, weekly, etc.) and the results of the search can be e-mailed to you. To Save a Search or Setup an Alert:

• Select the databases you wish to search and enter your search terms.
• After the search results appear, click on Custom Search and then Previous Searches in the upper toolbars.
• Click on the Plus Sign to save it.
• Click on My Research and then My History in the upper toolbars. The saved searches during the current session will be listed.
• Click on the query to re-run the search.
• To set the search as an Alert, click on the Bell Icon .
  • A window will appear asking for:
    • an Alert Name
    • full e-mail address (ex: smithp@uwstout.edu)
    • receiving a message if there are no results (yes or no)
    • run the Alert every day, week or month
    • select the databases to be run (check or uncheck the boxes)
    • Click on Save.
  • To edit the Alert, click on the Edit Icon .
  • To delete an Alert, click on the Delete Action Icon and the Alert will be removed.

How do I exit SuperSearch when I'm done?

Always exit SuperSearch by clicking on the Exit link in the upper right of the screen which will return you to the library home page.

Are there any known issues or problems?

General:

• Not all of the library's resources/databases can be searched in SuperSearch. These are the resources that do not have the Magnifying Glass next to the resource name. These are "link only" databases to the native interface resources where you must access the vendor's interface in order to search. As more resources are OpenURL compliant it will be possible to search them through SuperSearch. Link only databases can not be searched simultaneously with other resources.
• Not all fields searchable in the native interface are searchable in SuperSearch. Sometimes you must use the native interface (click on the database name to search it as done in the past) in order to get more precise results.
• SuperSearch is not fully compatible with screen readers.
• Mac users will find that Safari works better than IE with SuperSearch.
• Supported browsers are IE 5.0 or higher (Windows only), Netscape 6 or higher and Mozilla.

Specific:

• Sorting isn't possible in every database.
• In some databases, sorting results by title does not ignore the initial articles like a, an, the, etc.
• When searching multiple databases, the system does not retrieve all of the results. It returns a portion of all the results, regardless of date or relevancy, although usually it seems to be the newest records in the database.
• Search results when searching multiple databases, are in the order in which they were retrieved, and are not necessarily in any meaningful order. Sorting may remedy this if it's allowed. Alternatively, you can also request that the system go and get more of the records to find the most relevant citations in the search results list.
• If you search the UW-Stout Catalog in SuperSearch, click on a title, click the Find it! button and don't see the UW-Stout Catalog on the Find it Menu it is because the title doesn't have an International Standard Book Number (ISBN) or International Standard Serial Number (ISSN). Hopefully this will be remedied in a future release. See a reference librarian for additional help.
• All items in the UW-Stout Catalog have assigned call numbers which are necessary to find books, videos, etc., however in SuperSearch local call numbers may not appear. Items with local call numbers are materials primarily concerning the Menomonie area such as archives and Stout theses. To view the local call number click the Database Link in the "Resource" field to see the record with call number in the UW-Stout Catalog native interface.

I am having trouble finding what I need. Where can I get some research help?

Just click on for help. You can send an email message to Stout librarians and we will try to answer your questions. Librarians check Reference Email during scheduled reference hours.

• UW-Stout University Library
• 315 Tenth Ave.
• Menomonie, WI 54751

• 715-232-1215
• Fax: 715-232-1783
• Toll-Free: 1-800-787-8688

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