MetaFind is a new powerful online search tool that enables the cross-searching of various library resources simultaneously. Your search query will be sent to our local catalog, various subscription databases as well as selected search engines and other online resources. The results will then be posted on one gateway interface with links to the information within a given resource.
We hope that MetaFind will prove to be a useful tool for the Hartwick community as it enables quick access to the great variety of the library's online resources. Users will be able to locate information from sources that they might have been less aware of thereby expanding their list of quality references.
What you need to know:
- MetaFind uses author, title, subject and keyword searching. Subject searches revert to a keyword search in some databases like JSTOR and Lexis-Nexis as these resources do not have subject searching capabilities.
- The search interface can be customized: You have the option of either searching all available resources, specific categories and disciplines, or only targeting individual resources listed on the search interface.
- Once you have entered your search term(s), MetaFind will search all the checked resources. Depending on the network traffic at that moment this can take up to a minute. Please wait till the search is done. The search results page will include a list of the checked resources with the number of results that were found and a list of links from the available resources generated by your search.
Before you hit enter for your search, you also have the option of customizing the number of results to be listed on one page and the number of results (hits) you wish to see from a given resource. The default for both is 10. - MetaFind cannot replace the in depth search capabilities of individual databases. If you are conducting advanced research it is advised that you search a given database separately. Every database has its strengths and weaknesses and there are larger differences in content and functionality. Subject searching which remains the most effective form of research, cannot always be used effectively by MetaFind due to the variations of the individual databases in terms of indexing and content. In addition, there are various search limit options that are unique to a database and that can't be utilized with a MetaFind search.
Search results from individual resources use the default ranking internal to the database. Many resources use ranking by date (the most current is listed first), but other databases use other methods. In MetaFind it is not possible to customize the ranking for all resources. Should you have problems with the results from a particular resource, search the database separately using their search interface. You can find all our databases from this alphabetical list
- With some searches you may notice that individual databases were unable to provide any results. The message reads the connection 'Failed'. In some instances this can be caused by the settings internal to the database. Lexis-Nexis for example will not produce any results if more than 1,000 items were retrieved. JSTOR has a similar setup, though if searching JSTOR directly there is an option to view the first set of results.
In these cases you should either revise your search by finding alternate search terms (and/or adding other search terms), or by searching the database directly from the database's internal search interface. - MetaFind is proxied making off campus access possible.
- Not all of our major resources have been added to Metafind. Innovative, the provider of MetaFind, is in the process of profiling these resources and they should be integrated into the MetaFind search interface soon. In addition, the "Back to Catalog" button on the search interface page does not work correctly and will be corrected shortly.
Questions?
If you need assistance or have further questions contact the reference desk (x4440)
For further information on MetaFind by Innovative please click here
Library Web Team
4/20/04
