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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.

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