A QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

URL: http://www.lib.uct.ac.za/nsc.htm

The Options menu allows you to adjust the settings in the database, so as to personalise the
configuration of the system. 

Select your configuration of each aspect of the database by selecting the appropriate radio button in that section. Click Accept (forward arrow) on the navigation bar to save your newly set configuration.

	Search any combination of fields.
Author
Author Address
Key Words/Phrase
Title
Index Terms
Healthlink Terms
Geo. Area
Journal Title
Source
Language
Pub. Year
Pub. Type
Pub. Place
Location
Degree
Degree Date
Degree Place
ISSN/ISBN
Database
Record ID.
Total:

Combine Words or Phrases with or  and  not  nearX  adjX   - see Help for more. Use the Index (I) icons to browse indexes or click on (T) to access the Thesaurus (if available). Use (   ) to group search criteria.

Advanced Search allows you to search for records using only Key Words/Phrase field, or, specific using one or a combination of other available search fields.

Enter your search criteria into the applicable textbox(es) in the search window. The accompanying description of each field makes it clear where to place your terms/phrases. You may use the Index (I) icons to browse indexes or the Thesaurus (T) icons to access the thesauris (if available). Now click the Search & Display button.  The final number of results is displayed.

Please note: By filling in multiple fields, the database will return only records which match all of the search criteria. Therefore, by filling in additional fields you are limiting your potential number of search results, although they are likely to be more appropriate.

If you are satisfied with the amount of records returned, click Search & Display for a listing of the results.

Clear Search will erase the contents of all text boxes in the search block.

EXPERT SEARCH MODE

This search mode facilitates for those who are experiened online users and are looking for optimal search results.  If you are looking for more in-depth coverage of the Expert Search mode, please consult the online help.  So, let’s take a peek at the basics…

AFRICAN HEALTH ANTHOLOGY   (1966 & earlier - August 2000)
Example: (animal NEAR5 behav* OR #3) AND py=1990-1995 AND ti,kt=(grant? OR fund*)
  -- List of Field Tags --  au -- Author  ad -- Author Address  db -- Database  dd -- Degree  dd -- Degree Date  dp -- Degree Place  ge -- Geo. Area  kh -- Healthlink Terms  kt -- Index Terms  sn -- ISSN/ISBN  jt -- Journal Title  la -- Language  lo -- Location  pp -- Pub. Place  pt -- Pub. Type  py -- Pub. Year  id -- Record ID.  so -- Source  ti -- Title     

for Index

to Search

to Display

Set#   Matches Search Strategy #1       #2       #3       #4       #5       #6       #7       #8       #9       #10       #11       #12       #13       #14       #15       15 25 50 75 100

This mode provides the user a host of search sets. A single text box is provided for each search entry, The user is required to use the field tags to specify in which fields e.g. title fields to search in.  A listing of these may be found in the List of Field Tags drop down box, whilst an explanation of the function of each of these tags may be read by clicking the Field Guide button.

Sets may be combined so that the criteria specified in each of the original sets is amalgamated in another set in the manner in which you specify.

Fig. 5: Search results in expert mode

Below is an example of search results in expert mode.  Click on to display the record view of the search matches found.

Expert Search
		Databases |	Options |	Help |	Exit
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African Health Anthology   (1966 & earlier - November 2000)

HELP: Use each line below to enter a search. Each line is a search set which you may edit at any time or combine with other sets by using the # sign, e.g., #3 and #4.   Key Words/Phrase text is searched unless a field tag is specified to focus or limit your search. Type a field tag followed by = (equals sign). See the example below and browse the Fields Guide for a list of tags.

Example: (animal NEAR5 behav* OR #3) AND py=1990-1995 AND ti,kt=(grant? OR fund*)
  -- List of Field Tags --  au -- Author  ad -- Author Address  db -- Database  dd -- Degree  dd -- Degree Date  dp -- Degree Place  ge -- Geo. Area  kh -- Healthlink Terms  kt -- Index Terms  sn -- ISSN/ISBN  jt -- Journal Title  la -- Language  lo -- Location  pp -- Pub. Place  pt -- Pub. Type  py -- Pub. Year  id -- Record ID.  so -- Source  ti -- Title     

for Index

to Search

to Display

Set#   Matches Search Strategy      important search tips #1     40 #2       #3       #4       #5       #6       #7       #8       #9       #10       #11       #12       #13       #14       #15       15 25 50 75 100

Search Details #1A 2836 INTEREST #1B 320 INTERESTS #1C 23853 RATE #1D 12829 RATES

 

The record format may be specified by using the Change Display Format drop down box.

When the number of entries returned exceeds those permissible to be shown on one page, the set is spanned over multiple pages.  Details of this are shown under the heading Records (Citations) ...of x, where x is the total number of records returned.

  Use the Next and Forward buttons depicted in the figure to the left to move forward, or back by, the specified number of results.

 
Use the facility (found at the bottom of the search page) depicted to the left to jump to a particular record.  If you know the number already, simply enter it in the provided text box and click  <-- Go To Record.   

Records may be sorted according to the following: publication year, title, author and entry month.  Each order is available in ascending or descending mode.  The drop down box tot he left of the Sort  button is used to select the method.  Click the Sort button to rearrange.

The yellow page icon, found to the right of the number of each record, may be used to view that record in full format.

Marked (ticked) records may be e-mailed to an e-mail address of your choice. You will find the postage form at the bottom of every page of search results.

Select the relevant radio button for the format you wish to send the records in. Then complete the Email To text box. The other three are optional. Click Email MARKED Records to send the message. Your results should be delivered almost immediately.

PRINTING & SAVING RESULTS

You may print your records in the same way as you would any other web page. However, NISC provides a function that allows you to configure your results (on screen) so that they are ready to send to the printer.

Use the Change Print/Save Format drop down box in Search Results view to select the format in which you wish to have your records printed or saved.

Now, follow the instructions in the block below to perform the desired action