• Using FirstSearch Databases
• Basic search
• Advanced search
• Expert search
• To search or browse by author using the Author Index
• To display your search results
• To select (tag) records
• To email your search results
• To print your search results
• To save your search results
• To begin a new search or exit FirstSearch
• For more help
• Additional hints

1. OCLC FirstSearch databases at CSM include WorldCat, ERIC, ArticleFirst, PapersFirst, and many others. Access is restricted to systems with campus IP addresses.
2. Open the FirstSearch search page by selecting a FirstSearch database from the Database Search Page page (see a Reference Librarian for assistance).
3. Select a FirstSearch database from the drop-down menu on the screen, if necessary.

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1. In Basic Search, click on the Search for box and type one or more key search terms. If you are searching for an exact phrase, enclose the phrase in double quotes. Then, select an index. In the basic search, select either the Keyword, Author, or Title index. For more index options, try the advanced or expert search modes.
2. Select limits if you want to narrow your search.
3. Click on List All at the top Go To dropdown to search simultaneously in up to three databases. When you do this, your search results are merged into one ordered results list.
4. Click the Search button.

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1. The Advanced Search lets you construct more complex search statements.
2. Use OR to connect similar terms. This will broaden your search.
   Example: anisotropy or seismic
3. Use AND to connect separate concepts. This will narrow your search.
   Example: anisotropy and seismic
4. The truncation symbol (*) substitutes for a string of zero or more characters. For example, cat* retrieves catatonic, catatonia, category, etc. You can use this symbol anywhere in your search except as the first character.
5. The wildcard symbol (?) substitutes for one character or none. For example, the search m?cdonald retrieves both mcdonald and macdonald. You can use this symbol anywhere in your search except as the first character.
6. Select limits if you want to narrow your search. Available limits vary by database.
7. To find terms within a certain distance of other terms, use the proximity operators w or n followed by a number. You can string together multiple terms and proximity operators, such as curator n2 art w3 forgery, and you can use phrases with a proximity operator, such as space shuttle n4 orbit.
8. If you'd like to rank your results, choose an option from the Rank by: drop-down menu located in the search screen.
9. Click the Search button.

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1. The Expert Search screen is designed for experienced searchers who prefer to enter logical search strings. Logical search strings are made up of specific labels and search terms combined with special characters and Boolean operators. Subsets of the search strings are nested in parentheses.
2. A list of valid indexes and field labels is provided in the Indexed in: drop-down menu.
3. Use a colon after an index label (for example, ti:) when you are not certain of your search terms. Use an equal sign after an index label (ti=) for an exact match search.
4. Index labels include au (author), kw (keyword), su (subject), ti (title), and yr (year).
5. For example, to search for all resources related to coffee that are written by Elizabeth Alston, you can enter kw:coffee and alston elizabeth and select the author index from the drop-down menu.

1. An index is an alphabetical list of words used to point to library resources. These words represent aspects of a bibliographic record, such as keyword or author. They are organized into searchable files used to locate records in a database.
2. Click on the Index icon to browse through the indexes for the database you've chosen. This function is useful when you are unsure of the spelling or format of any of your search terms. You can also use this function to find the number of records that contain your search terms.
3. Click Browse. FirstSearch displays the closest matching term in the index you've selected. Above and below the term are the next closest matches. To the right is the number of records that contain this term.

1. Click on a title to view the full display. Click on List of Records on the top of the screen to return to the title list.
2. Use the Window's Scroll Bar to move through records.
3. Click on the Next or Previous buttons to move to the next or previous list of records.
4. Use the View Local Ownership Information button to inspect holdings for item in Prospector.

• Click in the box to the left of the record or click on Mark All at the bottom of the screen to select all records on one page of results.
• Click on Next to tag additional records.
• Up to 100 records may be tagged for printing, saving, or emailing.

1. Click on the E-mail button.
2. Click in the Email Address box and type in the complete email address.
3. Change any of the other available options, as needed.
4. Click on the Send button.

1. Click on the FirstSearch Print button.
   Change any of the other options, if needed.
2. Click on Print at the top of the screen.
3. Click on OK.

1. Insert a formatted disk into a floppy drive.
2. Click on Export at the top of the screen and select export options, including saving either tagged titles or all titles on a given page.
3. Type your disk drive and supply a proper filename (up to 8 characters).
4. Click on OK.

1. Click on the Basic at the left side of the screen.

1. Click on the Exit button.

• Click on the FirstSearch Help button.
• At any time click on the info button (the blue "i" icon) for information about a database.
• Contact the Reference staff.
• See our Database Search Tips for tips on conducting effective searches.

Suggest best database feature

If you're not sure where to start, this function can help in finding a database to search. FirstSearch supplies an estimated number of results and suggests databases to search based on your specific search term and the topic area you select. You can search across up to 3 of the suggested databases.

Thesaurus feature

Use the thesaurus feature before initiating a search in order to identify appropriate controlled vocabulary for the database you are searching. Consult an online thesaurus, such as Library of Congress Subject Headings or the ERIC Thesaurus of Descriptors after a search to locate additional search terms.

Index browsing

The index browsing box lists the indexes available for the database you are using. Use the related subjects feature after searching and retrieving results to continue searching in a related topic area.

Search history

Use the search history screen to recall previously searched items and to further refine your search. Your search history will be saved as you move from database to database, to save time when you choose to search the same term in different databases.