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Database Help

Having trouble using the databases? This guide answers frequently asked questions about databases, provides video tutorials and search tips that will help you use the databases to find the information you need.

What is a Scholarly/Peer Reviewed Article & How do I Find One?

This short video will explain what peer reviewed articles are and how to find them.

Access Problems

Having problems accessing an online database or journal article? Here are a few common solutions.

  • If you are using Internet Explora try a different browser such as Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome. Most of our databases seem to function well in Mozilla Firefox. All of these browsers can be downloaded for free and you can have more than one browser on your computer.

  • Enable Cookies: You may experience problems if you have not setup your browser to accept cookies.

    What are cookies? Certain web sites require the use of "domain-based cookies". A web server named web1.somedb.com might set a cookie and request that it be sent back to any server ending in .somedb.com. Many URL rewriting proxy servers either leave these cookies alone (which destroys their ability to function) or change the cookie so that it is sent back to all virtual web servers (causing cookies to "leak" to the wrong servers). EZproxy handles this situation by storing all domain-based cookies directly on the server as part of the user's session information. (from http://www.usefulutilities.com/support/technical.html)
     
    Enabling Cookies in Microsoft Internet Explorer
    • Select "Internet Options" from the Tools menu.
    • Click on the "Privacy" tab.
    • Move the slider bar to the lowest position called "Accept All Cookies."
    • Click "OK".
    • For other versions or Firefox, see Google's quick guide on How to Enable Cookies.
       
  • High Speed: If you are using high speed Internet services (such as web accelerator programs from NetZero HiSpeed or Juno Speedband), you will need to turn the high speed option off while you are using the library's databases. 

  • Firewall software: If you have a firewall running on your computer, disable it temporarily. If you are unable to access the databases from work some places of employment have their network configured in such a way that you cannot access our databases. 

  • Other errors: If you see any error messages mentioning "EzProxy administrator" or "hostname," please copy the text of the error message and contact your library staff.

Why Can't I Read the Article on my Computer?

There are 3 reasons why you can't read your article on the computer...

1.  You did not limit your results to full text articles.  If you don't do this, article abstracts (summaries) will be included in your search results.  After you do a search in Discovery Search, Ebscohost or Gale you will see an option to limit your results to full text, if you did not do so at the start of your search.

2.  You need to click on the link for the PDF Full Text document. It may be on the left side of the page or under the article title in your Search Results list.

3.  You need to link out to another full text database or use Full Text Finder.  In Ebscohost, or Gale datasases, click on a link in the left margin or within the article record labeled "Full Text Finder," "Linked Full Text" or "View this record."  From there, you will go to the library catalog to view print holdings (not available online), another full text database or an online journal site.

If the above solutions don't fit the circumstance, here are four options...

1.  Use Interlibrary Loan.  You will need to leave enough time for you to obtain the article before your paper is due.

2.  Search for the article on the web.  Find out if the publisher has made that particular article freely available on the web (sometimes referred to as open access; no fees).

3.  Check another library in your area for their periodical print holdings (guests generally cannot use their online databases and journals).

4.  Ask a librarian to help you find a similar article.

 

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