6 Basic Steps of Searching InfoTrac Web

For more detailed help on InfoTrac, see the Gale Group Consumer Education Tools

  1. To open InfoTrac Web

    • If you are on campus, go to the link for the InfoTrac databases on the library's database page.

    You have the following options:

    Business and Company ASAP
    Custom Newspapers: New York Times
    Expanded Academic ASAP
    General Reference Center (Magazine Index)
    InfoTrac OneFile
    Junior Edition (grades 5-8)
    Kids Edition (grades 1-6)
    Legal Trac
    Student Edition (grades 7-12)

    • If you are a BJU student, faculty, or staff member and you are away from the campus network, you may use the home access links. Please go to the Off-Campus Access link under Databases on the Library web site.

    Note: You must first get the proper username and password from the reference librarian at J. S. Mack Library. Please e-mail Shannon Brooks or call (242-5100 x6015) during business hours.

  2. To start a search

    • Scan the database menu and select the database that best matches your research topic.
    • Click the Start Searching link below the database description.

  3. Choose a search type

    • Subject guide search: Browse listings of subjects, people, products, locations and organizations, such as "Olympics" or "diabetes."
    • Relevance search: Results are ranked according to relevance to search terms; this is especially helpful for searches using unique keywords and phrases (e.g., "Christmas tree ornaments" or "Clark Gable").
    • Keyword search: Yields broad-ranging results, but is ideal when keywords and phrases are too specific to be found in the subject guide (e.g., "Gone With the Wind" or "Clark Gable").
    • Advanced search: Select an index and combine search terms and limits for the most precise searches when you know exactly what you're looking for (e.g., an article on George Bush from Time Magazine in 1993).

  4. To conduct a search

    • Type your search terms in the entry box.
    • For more specific results, limit your search by adding the date, journal title, and/or keywords.
    • Click on the Search button.

  5. To view your results

    • A subject search yields a list of article types under subject headings. Click on a link to view the citation list (articles) or cross-reference of your choice.
    • The other search methods produce a citation list that displays the articles that match your search terms.

  6. To view or print an article

    • Click on the link below the citation to view the full text of retrieval options.
    • To save an article to view later, click the Mark box. This creates a special "list" of articles you can view later (but not after you've exited your session).
    • To view your saved articles, click on "View mark list" in the left navigation bar.
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