NCSU Libraries Focus Online

Volume 24 number 2 - Winter 2004

By Karen Ciccone, Natural Resources Library

The NCSU Libraries provides access to more than 200 databases that index journal articles, conference papers, newspaper articles, technical reports, and other types of information. With so many databases to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to begin a search. MultiSearch, the library's new search option, makes it easier than ever to select and search library databases by letting users search multiple databases simultaneously. Search terms are entered once, and the results indicate how many "hits" are found in each database. Users can sample those results and focus on the databases that are most likely to be useful for finding articles on a particular topic.

MultiSearch provides two interfaces, a simple one-box interface for basic keyword searching and an advanced search interface for the construction of more complicated search strategies. Both interfaces allow researchers to choose among a large number of databases for simultaneous searching. To select databases for searching, check the boxes next to individual database names or choose "Select All" to select all databases for one of four broad categories ("Agriculture & Life Sciences," "Humanities & Social Sciences," "Physical Sciences & Engineering," and "General"). Alternatively, MultiSearch can be accessed through one of the "Database Finder" subject lists to search all available databases for a specific discipline.

For users conducting exhaustive searches, a useful feature of MultiSearch is the ability to merge and de-duplicate records from multiple databases. Click on "Merge and De-dup the Results" at the bottom of the status page to obtain a single set of results with all duplicate records omitted. Please be aware, however, that only results from highlighted databases are included in the merged results set. Also, for large numbers of records, the merging and de-duplicating process can take several minutes. It is a good idea to be selective when choosing databases for merging.

MultiSearch also provides the ability to search each database directly, enabling more powerful searches using all of the special fields and designations provided by that database. Choose this option when there is no need to conduct an exhaustive search because everything needed is in a particular database or special fields or because controlled vocabulary terms are required to perform an effective search. Those who need help constructing an effective search strategy should contact a librarian.

Availability of MultiSearch is based on the database provider's support for a protocol known as Z39.50. At times it is also determined by technical limitations or problems that are beyond the Libraries' control. If a message appears saying "Can't Connect," search the database directly by clicking on the adjacent "Search Database Directly" link. If a database is not available through MultiSearch, locate it using the alphabetical list on the "Database Finder" page and search it directly. The Libraries will continue to work to make it possible to search these databases using MultiSearch.

To access MultiSearch, go to the Libraries "Database Finder" at http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/eresources/dbfinder.html. Click on the "MultiSearch" link to go directly to MultiSearch, or choose a subject from the drop-down menu to search a more selective list of databases. MultiSearch will appear as an option on the right side of the page.

This new search tool is still in development, with additional functionality yet to be added. Please let the NCSU Libraries know what you think and send questions and comments to MultiSearch@lists.ncsu.edu.