The new ProQuest is definitely a lot snazzier and it’s now easier than ever to search, find, use, and share information.  Here are the top 7 most awesome things about the new ProQuest:

(A short definition of ProQuest: A multidisciplinary database with journal, newspaper, and magazine articles as well as book chapters, dissertations and theses, and many other types of documents.  Find the database in the library’s A-Z list of databases).

Most awesome thing #1: The easy-to-use search interface
The graphics really add a bit of flair to the basic search interface with two options for searching: type your keywords into the google-like box or click on an image to search by subject areas.  Check the boxes to limit searches to full-text and/or scholarly journals.

Most awesome thing #2: The more advanced search option
Sometimes a single box for your keywords just won’t cut it, that’s why an awesome advanced search option is a must!  Combine your keywords with the drop-down boolean search options, select a specific field you want that keyword to be searched in (title, author, abstract, etc.), and add as many rows and keywords as you want.  Limit your results even more by selecting a specific document type, language, and/or date range.  Using the advanced option really makes searching faster and more efficient!

Most awesome thing #3: Saving documents for later use
Keep your searches and documents for easier printing, emailing, and citing by creating an account in ProQuest (they call it MyResearch).  Now  you can refer back to them and you’ll always know where you got the document from.

Most awesome thing #4: Cite this – not that
There are many citation builders out there such as KnightCite or Citation Machine, but in ProQuest you can click on the article, click on the “Cite This” link and you’re golden.  Copy the citation to your bibliography/works cited (of course check to make sure that it’s correct) and you are set to put the final touches on your paper.

Most awesome thing #5: The cute icons indicate document type
Maybe you’re looking for more than scholarly articles so you didn’t check the scholarly journals box and that’s totally cool with us.  Know what type of document it is by looking at the icon next to the article’s title.The ones with the graduation cap in front of a square are scholarly articles, ones with a graduation cap and rolled up diploma are dissertations and theses, etc.  Hover over the icon to know what each icon is.

Most awesome thing #6: Search within your results to limit results numbers
It’s possible for thousands and thousands of results to show up in the search but of course not all of them will be relevant to what you’re looking for.  That’s why there’s the awesome feature to search within your results by clicking on the “Search Within” link right next to the number of results.  Now you can type in more keywords to hone in on what you’re looking for.

Most awesome thing #7: Suggested subjects
Liberal arts education requires you to take classes that you may not be familiar with.  That’s where the suggested subjects come in handy in this database.  All results list with have suggested subject terms to help you find a more specific topic.  Additionally, if spelling is an issue for you, auto-fill shows up when you begin typing in a keyword.

There are more interesting and useful tools in the new ProQuest that makes using the database a lot easier and more efficient.  What kinds of things have you found useful in ProQuest?  We’re interested in knowing!


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  1. […] and books.  Also includes a large offering of dissertations, theses, and newspapers.  (Click here for info on searching ProQuest). Pros and Cons: The most extensive selection of dissertations and theses spanning from 1861 to […]

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