Finding Articles in Cambride Scientific Abstracts

Cambridge Scientific Abstracts

A package of databases including Computer and Information Systems Abstracts,  Sociological Abstracts, and others. You can search them one at a time or as a group.

a)    Finding the database package and establishing My Research

•    Go to ELECTRONIC RESOURCES at http://irservices.library.unt.edu/.
•    Select “C” at the top of the page, then scroll down to the database on the next screen
•    Cambridge Scientific Abstracts opens to the ADVANCED SEARCH.
•    First set up your My Research account by selecting the link at top right, PLEASE LOG IN TO MY RESEARCH, and then following the directions for New Users.

b)    Constructing and refining your search

•    Return to ADVANCED SEARCH and select the databases or field you will search. You won’t get any results if you don’t do this first!
•    Enter keywords from your topic as a Boolean search with field set to ANYWHERE initially. Use the truncation symbol (*) to search for different endings on the same root word.
•    Look at the article’s abstract (summary) to see if the article is relevant.
•    Look at the article’s descriptors to find more terms to refine your search.
•    Check relevant articles and use UPDATE MARKED LIST link at top of results list.

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c)    Preparing the Marked List for output

•    To see your list of selected articles, select # MARKED RECORDS link at the top right of the screen.
•    Check the records that you want to save, and then select SAVE, PRINT, E-MAIL in the yellow band at the top of the screen.
•    Choose your format, bibliographic style and output option, including export to RefWorks. You will receive a list of the citations in the style you picked.

d)    Finding the full text articles

•    Go back to the Marked List. Choose an article and select FIND FULL TEXT under the article’s title.
•    Article Linker may take you to the full text in another database or journal package. Use the new database’s output options to save, print or email the article. If it is a PDF file, use the Save and Print icons within Adobe Reader, but use the Email option from the database.
•    Article Linker may indicate that the Libraries don’t have the full text article – don’t give up yet! Do a journal title search in the UNT LIBRARY CATALOG to confirm whether the Libraries have the print or electronic journal.
•    If the Libraries don’t have the journal, you can order the article through Interlibrary Loan – see G. below.

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e)    Setting up search alerts

•    When you find a search that gives you good results, select the SEARCH TOOLS tab and look at your SEARCH HISTORY.
•    Check the successful search, and then select the SAVE OR ALERT link, about midscreen.
•    You’ll be taken to MY RESEARCH, where you set the parameters for your search alert and save it. Now you’ll receive an email every week that will include the citations for any new articles that match the search. The alert is good for 6 months and can be renewed.

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