List of Search engines (databases)

In a library context, when speaking about search engines that contain publications or information about them, we usually use the term database.

Reference databases are the best sources

These databases collect information about a wide range of publications from different publishers and countries. They cover mainly journal articles, but also books, conference articles etc.
Access to a full text of an article is not always available right away.

Multidisciplinary reference databases for all fields of science

These are the most comprehensive information sources (the links will take you to UEF Primo for logging in):

Examples of queries:

A screen capture of scopus search page. The query is written in two boxes. The first box: “spatial data” OR “spatial attribute”. The second box: evaluat* OR assess* OR analy*. There is an AND-operator between the boxes. Explanations: ‘Search within’ -option is used for selection of record fields. More search fields can be added with +. Write phrases with quotation marks. Use * for truncating a search term. Type search terms into Search documents -row. Type the OR-operator yourself.
Example in Scopus database. Truncation is used for evaluat*, assess* and analy* in order to the both verb and noun, like evaluation and evaluate/evaluating.
A screen capture of web of science search page. The query is written in three boxes. The first box: protect* OR conserve*. The second box: “old forest*” OR “old growth forest*” OR “primaeval forest*”. The third box: fungivore*. There is an AND-operator between the boxes. Explanations: Type OR-operators from keyboard, keep the AND-operators between the rows. Truncation: *; for protect, protection and conserved, conservation. Phrases need quotation marks. You need to truncate the terms enclosed in quotation marks in order to get the plurals of terms. Although plurals of plain terms are usually found automatically, the system might not recognise some uncommon terms, like fungivore, so truncation is needed anyway. The search field by default is All fields, but Topic or Title is usually better.
Example from Web of Science database.
A screen capture of proquest search page. The query is written in three boxes. The first box: wolf. The second box: protect* OR conserve*. The third box: “public attitude*”. There is an AND-operator between the boxes. Explanations: Plural (wolves) is retrieved automatically. Type OR-operator from the keyboard. Term enclosed into quotation marks (=a phrase) must be truncated (*) in order to retrieve also the plural form. More fields from the + button. On the right side pull-down menus: Select a record field to be searched for.
Example from ProQuest database.

All these databases above cover dozens of millions of records from all fields of science. Their core is the same: all have the most important key publications. The difference is, what else there is available. Try and find your favourite!

Subject specific databases

These cover the topic more detailed way and usually contain a broader insight into a subject. However, their cross-disciplinary coverage might be limited.

There is no subject specific database for physics or forestry or biology available in UEF Library.

Chemistry: SciFinder-n

  • SciFinder is an exceptional search engine compared with others listed at this page: the search rules are rather unique. See the pictures below.
  • Also chemical formulas and trade names can be used as search terms.
  • Personal username and password is required.
  • See more information from SciFinder-n training.

Technology: IEEE Xplore

A screen capture of IEEE xplore search page. The query is written in three boxes. The first box: injury or damage or. The second box: plant*. The third box: “*spectral imag*”. There is an AND-operator between the boxes. Explanations: Type or-operator between terms, use capital letters. Plural (plants) is found automatically. A phrase needs quotation marks. Truncation, *, I needed for image, images, imagery. On the right side pull-down menus: Choose a fields to be searched for. A plus adds one search box more.
IEEE Xplore is useful resource for searching proceedings and articles in the field of technology.

Full-Text databases are limited

Usually, these databases cover journals and articles by one publisher only. The advantage is that you have an immediate access to full texts of articles. The search covers all the text, including the full text. This is useful, when you are looking for a rare topic, which is not mentioned in a title or abstract of an article, but somewhere inside the text.

Ebooks have their own full-text databases. There you a possibility to search within the whole book, not just metadata as in a library database.

Library databases are for books and thesis

  • UEF Primo
  • Finna.fi (united database of Finnish libraries and other cultural institutions )

Example of a query:

A screen capture of UEF Primo Advanced search page, search for library catalog. The query is written in three boxes. The first box: wood* or bio-based. The second box: material or composite. The third box: product*. There is an AND-operator between the boxes.
Example of UEF Primo Advanced search. Some terms are truncated for derivatives (wooden, production). If a phrase is needed, it should be enclosed in quotation marks. Use capital letters writing operators.

Repositories archive organisation’s publications

Repositories are archives, which contain all the publications published by researchers and students of one organisation. They collect thesis, reports and self-archived versions of earlier published or open access research articles, which are originally published in scientific journals.

  • eRepo (UEF electronic repository)

Next page: Open access