Effective database searching

When viewing your results you usually have the option to select specific records to keep by marking or tagging them, or you can download all the retrieved records (subject to sensible limits!).

The following methods can normally be used to save your results:

• Email records to yourself
• Save onto your computer, memory stick, or cloud storage e.g. OneDrive
• Print out the resources
• Export the details into reference management software e.g. EndNote, Mendeley

Each database should have support pages detailing how to save references from a search. If you are unsure, contact your Liaison Librarian.

We recommend saving the results of one search before moving on to a new one.

When you are looking at your search results on most databases, look out for either of these buttons:

Click on these and you will see straight away if the item you found is available online from one of our sources. You will often see the Item Finder screen (shown below) with a link direct to the full-text. Where full-text is not available you will be given the option to search the Library catalogue for a print copy, plus other ways of getting hold of the publication. 

Databases are usually international and they index a large number of sources. Since these databases are not based on our collection at Reading, we will probably not have all the items you find on them. If an item is not available at Reading you can:

• apply for an inter-library loan, for which we may contact the British Library or other major academic library to get the item you need. 
• visit another library that has the item you need.