Databases


This resource is restricted to current PTS faculty, staff and students. Users working off-campus (outside the PTS network) will be prompted to authenticate via the proxy server.

Search one or more databases to find journal articles and other e-resources. Looking for a book? Search the online catalog to find books, print journals and other physical library holdings.


To search a single database, click on the image below and then click on the database name in bold type.


To search across multiple databases (to federate your search*), click on the image below, then use the check box to the left of the database name to select those you wish to explore.

 Federated Search Button

 

More Search Tips

*Serials Solutions is a federated search engine that enables you to search multiple library databases simultaneously. Similar to how Google lets you search virtually the entire Web, it allows you to search a select number of PTS Library databases for books, journals, journal articles, reviews.


Serials Solutions attempts to search each database's "native interface" separately and then display a list of results. Databases often support different search features or may have a prescribed searching syntax (e.g., AND, OR, NOT, "FULL TEXT ONLY"). If a database does not support a given operator or feature it is dropped from the search. This may cause inaccuracies in your search. Searching a large number of databases at the same time may increase the likelihood of false returns. For advanced searching, it is advisable to search appropriate databases, separately, in their "native interface."


Searching a specific database:

To search a single database, click on the underlined name. You will connect directly to the database in its original, that is, “native,” interface.


Searching specific fields:

  • All: Searches all the fields available
  • Keyword: All Fields (the default)
  • Title: Searches the title field
  • Author: Searches the author field
  • Abstract: Searches the abstract field
  • Subject: Searches the subject field


Boolean searching:


Use AND to connect separate concepts. AND will narrow a search.
    Example: barth AND dogmatics


Use OR to connect similar terms. OR will broaden your search.
    Example: muslim OR moslem


Use NOT to eliminate separate terms. NOT will narrow your search.
    Example: barth NOT karl


Searching exact phrases:

There is no perfect method for searching for exact phrases in Serials Solutions since databases may perform exact phrase searching differently. Using "quotation marks" around your search term may be effective in some searches. For advanced searching, it is recommended that you use the "native interface" of the database.


Searching for full text only:

Each database is unique. If the "native interface" provides a "Full Text Only" limit Serials Solutions can interpret, then the search of that database will offer full-text articles. Some databases do not offer a full-text only limit (and not all databases provide full-text articles).


Additional search strategies:

Use * to find all words that begin with the same root: theolog* finds theology, theologian, theological