This document provides instructions for performing basic searches in the University of Detroit Mercy library catalog. It describes how to do keyword, phrase, boolean, truncation, and power searches. It also explains how to view the bibliographic record for an item found in the catalog search results. The document guides the user through sample searches on the topic of "global warming" to demonstrate different search techniques and view the number of results found.
Linked Data in Production: Moving Beyond Ontologies
English 131 bibliographic instruction
1. Basic Searching in UDM’s library catalog
http://research.udmercy.edu/ : from here you can access the library catalog, article databases,
resesearch help and more.
Use the catalog to find books, journals,
newspapers, DVDs and other materials
located in the library
On the left column
under Library Catalogs
“click” UDM Library
Catalog
1. Performing a Basic Search
Keyword Search – uses words or phrases that identify major concepts within the topic.
1. Change search field from Title to Keyword
2. Type in the search box, Global Warming
How many results were found? __________
2. 2. Performing a Phrase Search
Phrase Search – Quotations around keywords will find exact phrase.
1. Redo the search and enclose quotes around the keyword “global warming”
How many results were found? _____
3. Performing a Boolean Search
Boolean Search – employ the words AND, OR and NOT within a search statement to
broaden or narrow a search.
1. Redo the search and type “global warming” and “climate change” (remember to
enclose phrases in quotes)
How many results are found? _____
3. 4. Using Truncation
Truncation technique – use an asterisk (*) to search for multiple endings of a word.
1. Redo the search and type “global warming” and “climate change*”
How many results are found? _____
5. Bibliographic Record in the Library Catalog
1. Click on the title, Avoiding dangerous climate change.
1. 2.
4.
3.
5.
6.
1. What is the title of the book?
2. Who is the Author or Editor?
3. Who is the Publisher?
4. What is the Publication Date?
5. What are the Subject Headings?
6. What is the call number?
7. Where is the book located?
4. 6. Using Power Search
Power Search Screen – allows you to use multiple search terms and limit to an “exact
phrase”, words “within 3 words” of each other, or “anywhere” in a record within different
fields.
1. Click on Power
2. Type the keyword phrase “global warming” (Remember to enclose phrases in quotes)
3. In the Format box select DVD.
How many results are found? _____