CrossSearch searches across a range of UTAS Library's electronic resources with one simple interface.

It provides citations and abstracts, as well as linking opportunities to full-text articles, electronic books, and records in UTAS Library's catalogue. And you choose which resources you want it to search.

Search Tips

Use Basic Search to enter what you're searching for and get results.

Use Advanced Search (the default) for expanded searching options like Boolean searching (AND, OR, NOT), a Search Type menu, and a Year Search Limiter to enter a specific date.

You can search using the following fields listed below: Choose a search field from the drop-down menu.

Try using Boolean operators (AND, OR, and NOT) to find what you're looking for. Phrase searching works too! Put "quotation marks" around your search phrase to return precise results.

With both the Basic and Advanced search options, you can choose specific databases or pre-selected subject sets of databases to search.

Truncation & wildcard searches

Use of truncated terms such as medicat* or wildcards such as wom?n is not possible at present and will give either no results, or misleading results. You should use full words or phrases (in quotation marks) as search terms.

Search by subject

Choose from the list of subjects on the first screen. Click one or more checkboxes to select all the databases that are CrossSearch-able for those subjects.

For a smaller list of databases, click a subject link and check the Recommended box before entering search terms. Click Search.

Search by database

If you know the specific databases you wish to search, click on the Search by database link and choose as many as you wish from the list by checking boxes next to database names. Only databases with a check box next to them are CrossSearch-able.

If you wish to search one without a checkbox next to it, clicking on the database name from this list will take you to the “native” interface to perform a search in that one database.

Search Results

Within seconds of clicking Search, CrossSearch databases returns results, and the search page will present live updates.

You will see which resources have returned results first, and you can click on the number to see the results as the remaining databases continue searching.

If a database search fails, or is interrupted before completion, the symbol will appear next to the database name. Click on the symbol to see why the search on that database stopped.

You will have to continue retrieving results , or search that database again separately later if you need those results.

Clustered Results

Results are sorted into topic categories (clusters) to help you decide which results are most relevant. Clustering can also help you refine your search, by giving you new ideas for your search query. By clicking the appropriate link you can also see your results clustered by Date, Journal title, or Author.

Results by Source uses clustering to filter your search results by specific databases or providers. The number of results for each database and provider is shown in parentheses next to each resource. Click on the results number to see that database's results.

If you see plus (+) symbols next to the provider names, you have the option to minimize that resource's information. When the information is hidden, the button will appear as a minus symbol, and another click will reveal the information again.

Clear Filters

When you view results by clicking a Cluster link or a Results By Source link, a Clear filters link will appear at the top of your search results.

Click on this link when you want to return to the full results screen.

Sort Options

All options for sorting and filtering your search results are located in the header above your results.

• Sort By: These links allow you to sort your search results by publication date, title, author, or source. If your results contain publication dates, they will be automatically sorted by date unless you choose another sort option.
• Filter By: Use this checkbox to filter your results down to "Full Text" (meaning they link to the entire content of the item).

New or Refined Search

At the top of the page, above your clustered results, are your "Refine Search" and "New Search" links.

• Refine Search: This takes you back to your original search query where you can edit and run the search again.
• New Search: This takes you to a fresh search page to start a new query.

Next Results

To get results to you as quickly as possible, results are returned in small batches. When you reach your final page of results you can click on the Next Results link to see the next batch of results from the providers.

You will be taken to the next page of results. The new set will be automatically appended to the original results set. Use the "merge" icon to combine all results into one list. This sorts the list according to your selected sorting method -- by default, Date.

You may also retrieve more results from a favourite source by first clicking on the provider or database name and then clicking on Next Results on the last page. The next set of results for just that source is returned.

Abstract Display

Clicking on the “Show Abstract” link will reveal the abstract, and another click will hide it again

An abstract summarizes the content of an article, so that you can assess its content before actually retrieving the full text. Some search results will return with a link to these summaries. Not all citations will have an abstract.

Duplicate records

When a search finds duplicate results, you will see a Duplicate Records link. Only one record will be shown with a link to the others. When you click on the Duplicate Records link, you will see a new page with all of the duplicate results listed.

Full text options

Click the title link at the top of the citation to retrieve the full text if available.

Some of your citations may not produce full-text content when you click on the article title. If this is the case, the Couldn’t find it? Other options link may be available. Click on it to see if the item is available from our other resources.

If you can't find the full-text through any of these links, you should try searching in the Library catalogue. (If this fails, staff, postgraduate and honours students may submit a Document Delivery request).

NOTE : The Couldn’t find it? Other options link will only appear on the results that have enough citation information: (Title OR ISSN) AND Volume AND Issue. It will not appear on every result. Always check the catalogue if this process fails…you will frequently find the item is available.

Export, Save, and Email

Above your results are links to email, export, or save selected results. To select records, use the checkboxes next to each citation. Once results are selected, the Email and Export/Save links are activated.

Click on "selected records" link from the results page to view only your selections in a new window.

Clicking on Email prompts you to fill out a form. On the form, you may choose to send your selected records in a format compatible with bibliographic citation managers like EndNote, in plain text, or in HTML.

Clicking on Export/Save prompts you to fill out a similar form. You may choose to save the records either in a format compatible with bibliographic citation managers like EndNote, as plain text, or as HTML.

Use with EndNote

Important: Have your destination Endnote library created and ready to receive your references before taking the next steps.

Click the button to save " In a format compatible with EndNote, ProCite, etc", then click the Export button.
This will result in a web page like this:

Click the Save records button. A file called results.ris should be created.
The Endnote program will be automatically activated on your computer, OR you may get a dialog box that asks "Open with...Endnote.exe". This is the option you should choose.
Now select the destination library when this is requested and open it.
The selected references should now be imported into your Endnote library.

IMPORTANT: This feature is not fully developed and all records will be imported into the “generic” template. You must now edit each reference to the correct template and transfer data into appropriate fields as necessary. This problem should be corrected in a future CrossSearch software upgrade.

Still Need Help?

Contact your librarian for help! Please visit your Library's webpage or Reference Desk for additional assistance.