No.17: Searching, saving and managing results in Embase.com
Access
This guide is for the Elsevier interface for Embase.com. You may prefer to search Embase via the Ovid interface, linked from the library's list of databases.
An Athens login is required for both on-site and off-site access to Embase.com. Go to the library's list of databases and register for Athens (must be done while on site) or log in with your existing Athens account. You must create an Embase profile on your first visit. On subsequent visits, you will go straight in to Embase after logging in via Athens.
Sample search
Question: Can migraine or cluster headaches in children be treated effectively with sumatriptan?
Search concepts: migraine, cluster headache, sumatriptan
Limits: Embase records only, English language and Child 0-18.
Search using thesaurus
- Select EMTREE Tool.
- Enter the first search concept 'migraine'.
- Select Find Term to map to the thesaurus.
- The thesaurus term for migraine is Migraine. Click on this term to view the tree. The default is to explode the term.
- Select Add to Query Builder. The Query Builder field will pop up at the top of the page. Tip: Select Take this query to Disease Search if you want to limit to Disease SubHeadings. When doing a drug search, the option becomes Take this Query to Drug Search. Use this if you want to limit the search using Drug SubHeadings and Routes of Administration.
- Select Search.
- After the search results have loaded, repeat steps 1-6 for each of the other search concepts "cluster headache" and "sumatriptan".
- Select Advanced from the Sessions Results view, and combine your search lines using Boolean operators (OR, AND)
by typing:
(#1 or #2) and #3. - Select Combine.
Apply limits
We will apply limits of: Embase records only, English language and Child 0-18.
Select Edit on line #4 of your search to go to Advanced Search, then:
- Deselect Medline in Records from.
- Select Only in English in Quick Limits.
- Select an age range in Age Groups.
- Select Search.
Search using keyword
A keyword search may be required to expand retrieval or when no appropriate thesaurus term exists. Consider synonyms, British/American spelling variations, and singular/plural terms.
Use Quick Search or Advanced Search to perform a keyword search, with appropriate truncation to maximize results:
- Use ? to replace exactly one character: wom?n
- Use * to replace more than one character: lab*r will retrieve labor, labour, Labrador
Save search history
- Select Search Query in the Session Results; this will select all lines of your search.
- Select Save.
- In Save Selected Searches select Add Folder
- Create a folder named Migraine.
- Select Add.
- Select this Migraine folder from the tree below.
- Select Save.
Save an AutoAlert
- Select Search Query in the Session Results; this will select all lines of your search.
- Select Email Alert.
- Specify frequency, subject, email address, email format and content selection.
- Select Set Email Alert.
Run a saved search
- Select Saved Searches to run a permanent search, or Email Alerts to run an AutoAlert.
- Select the Migraine folder to display the search history.
- Select Rerun for each search line you wish to run, for example #5.
- The search line will run, with the current day's results displayed in Search Results.
Manage search results
Search results appear below your search history on the Session Results page.
- Use checkboxes to select relevant citations, or you may select the first 100, 500, or 5,000 results.
- Select the article title to show citation details, abstract (if available) and indexing details.
- Select View Full Text to show article details. The PDF is only available if the library subscribes to the journal.
- Use View, Print, Export, Email, Add to Clipboard to display, print, export to bibliographic software, email or temporarily save citations. Clipboard items may be saved permanantly by selecting Save this Clipboard.
- Order prompts you to purchase the item from an international document delivery supplier (not recommended).
Help
Contact the library.