InfoTrac PowerSearch

Jackie McFadden
Reference Librarian
Winthrop University
June, 2008

One Search For:

Where can I find PowerSearch

From the Dacus Library Online Web page, choose the Databases tab or List of All Databases under Find Resources.  Choose the letter "I" and select InfoTrac PowerSearch from the list.

How do I search for journal and newspaper articles?

• All Cross-searchable Databases are chosen for you.  If you want to remove one or more from the search list, uncheck the box by the title.
• Choose a Quick Search or click Continue for more advanced options.

Which search should I use?

Quick Search is a keyword search that is available on the first page and every search results page.  A keyword search allows searching by words in the title, introductory text, author and subject terms.  A new search can begin at any point with quick Search.

Advanced Search us a tightly focused search and is the default search method.

• Search by keywords, author, date, title, etc., by clicking the dropdown arrow beside the search box.
• Boolean operators (AND, OR, and NOT) can be used.
• If additional search boxes are needed, add them by clicking Add a Row.
• Searches can be limited by
  • full text
  • peer-reviewed publications
  • documents with images
  • publication date, title, or subject

Basic Search allows you to search by subject, keyword, or entire document

• Subject - Searches for specific subject headings and finds subjects that contain the search terms
• Keyword - Broader in scope than a Subject Search.  Searches key fields (not full text).
• Full Text - Broadest search.  Searches entire text and key fields.  Use to find a specific phrase or line of text by using quotation marks.
• Advanced limiters can be selected by choosing More search options
• Logical operators can be used to link two topics.  For example: video games AND violence.  The search result will only include articles that contains both subject terms.

Subject Guide Search is a topical index that lets you browse by subject categories.

• A good search to use when beginning your research
• Searches for particular topics or themes
• Best to search with one or two words
• Search for broad topics or specific names, companies, events, laws, locations, people, etc.
• Advanced limiters are available under the search box.

Publication Search allows you to browse and view the contents of a specific publications.  You can search by publication title or part of a title to view all editions included in the database.

• Search limiters include:
  • full text
  • peer reviewed publications
  • target audience (academic, children's, children's-lower elementary, children's-upper elementary, general, professional, trade)
  • publication format (almanac/yearbook, anthology/collection, atlas, bibliography, chronology, case digest, dictionary, directory, encyclopedia, factbook, handbook, image collection, index, investment report, industry profile, magazine/journal, map, newsletter, newspaper, newswire, pamphlet, report source book, workbook)
  • publication date
  • publication subject (browse publication subject to find a list of publication titles included under each subject heading)

How do I view the search results?

The search results page displays article citations which include: the article title, the author, the periodical title and date, the page numbers of the article, and the length of the article.  The citations are divided into categories by type and can be located by clicking the tabs at the top of the citation list.

• Categories include:
  • Magazine & Journals (articles appearing in Magazines or Journals)
  • Reference (articles from reference books)
  • News (articles from newspapers or news services)
  • Multimedia (photos, maps, pictures)
  • Additional Databases (search by InfoTrac databases not included in PowerSearch)
• If a tab is grayed out, there are no materials available in that category.
• Results can be sorted by Publication Date or Relevance.
• Expand/Limit, limits results by full-text, peer reviewed, date, publication information, and audience type
• Click on the blue title link to view article citation, abstract or full text.
• to the right and below each article is a list of subject headings related to the topic.  Use these terms as search terms or click the links for related articles.
• Not all articles in InfoTrac are full text. To see if Dacus Library has access to the full text, click the WebBridge link.
• "Dictionary" on the toolbar allows you to look up the meaning of a word at any time.
• "Title List" is a list of all titles and date of coverage included in PowerSearch.

I found the articles I want, Now What?

• "Mark" documents to create a list of relevant articles.  To view marked list, click "Marked Items" link at the top of the page.
• "InfoMark" documents to return to almost any page after your session is over.  Links can be embedded into web pages or word documents.
• Open documents and "Marked Items" can be printed, e-mailed, or downloaded.
• Choose "Citation Tools" or scroll to the bottom of the article for citation information in MLA, APA or Plain Text format.

For additional search hints, click the Help Link.

For assistance, go to the Reference Desk or call 323-4501

Back to Top