Ohrstrom FAQ: Accessing Databases

The In-Context databases are provided by Gale and include . . .

• Biography In-Context
• Environmental Studies In-Context 
• Global Issues In-Context
• Opposing Viewpoints In-Context
• Science In-Context

***While Environmental Studies In-Context is the database pictured in the example below, all of the databases have the same search functionality.***

When you click the link for an In-Context Database, it will take you to its home page (pictured below in the "1) Broad Search" section) with three options for search: 1) Broad Search–using a keyword in the search bar, 2) Browsing–using the "Browse Issues" page, and 3) Narrow Search–using the Advanced Search page. 

1) Broad Search

If you have a broad idea of the subject you would like to research, you can enter it as a keyword in the search bar (boxed in red in the image below). This will take you to a search results screen (for more on the search results screen, see the "Search Results" section below). 

2) Browsing 

If you are unsure about which subject you would like to research, click on "Browse Issues" (circled in purple above). This will take you to the following screen. 

You can browse all of the subjects alphabetically-listed on the database OR narrow the subjects down to those that fall within your research topic by selecting a topic from the "Topics" drop down list (circled in purple above). 

3) Narrow Search

If you have a focused idea of the subject you would like to research and have several keywords that can help you narrow your search, you can click on "Advanced Search" (circled in orange on the picture of the home screen above), which will take you to the following screen.

You can narrow your search in several ways on the "Advanced Search Screen".

• Entering multiple keywords in the "Terms" fields (see orange box). If you need them, you can add more "Terms" fields by clicking on "Add a Row" (circled in light blue). 
• Updating the Boolean Operators, like "AND," "OR," and "NOT" (see the green box).
• Under "Field" (see yellow box), you can narrow the meaning of your search term. For example, I could ask the database to search the "Entire Document" for a keyword or to see if the keyword is listed as a "Subject" for the article. 
• Adding "Search Limiters" also helps narrow your search (see the light blue box). You should always select "Full Text Documents" so you can ensure you have access to the entire article. If you are looking for academic sources, always select "Peer-Reviewed Journals."

After you have completed your entry, click on "Search" (see the orange arrow). This will take you to a search results screen (for more on the search results screen, see the "Search Results" section below). 

Search Results

After you have clicked on "Search," you will arrive at the search results screen (see below). You can access the articles by clicking on their titles (written in blue font). If your search came back with hundreds of results, you can also filter your results from this page. 

You can "Filter Your Results" (see the pink box) by "Publication Date" (as in the example picture), "Subject,"  "Document Type," "Publication Title," "Lexile Measure" (reading level), "Content Level" and by "Search[ing] Within" documents.

To narrow your search using "Search Limiters" (see the green circle)  select . . .  

• "Full Text Documents" so you can ensure you have access to the entire article.
• "Peer-Reviewed Journals" if you are looking for academic sources.