As you use the databases, you'll begin to see similarities between them. They might use different terminology, have links in different locations, or be displayed in different orders, but typically they work the same way. Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the tools and layout of the database search and results screens.
You can choose to narrow to full-text only in most databases; this means only those articles that are full-text in that database will be displayed. However, you'll want to keep in mind that we have our databases "Linked" so that if an article isn't full-text in the database you're searching, but is in another we subscribe to, you'll be able to link to it. You'll see "Search for full-text" when you have the option to look in another database for the full article. It doesn't always find it in another database (or in our print collection), but it only takes a few seconds to search and see.
If it's not found full-text in another database, you can always request a copy via Interlibrary Loan.
Take advantage of all of the filters(ways to narrow/limit your results) that are provided in most of the databases. Many times you'll get thousands of results when you do your first search, but you can use the filters in the databases to narrow and target those results. Options include narrowing by date, format, additional subjects (highly recommended), content type (i.e., scholarly journal, magazine, etc.), and more. Use them!