Web of Science Advanced Search

Find what you need/ Effective Searching – Web of Science

This tutorial will instruct you how to access and find journal articles on any topic using Web of Science.

You have an assessment task which requires you to write a literature review on a topic.

Here is an example topic:

'Discuss the development of solar power systems in arid environments’

How to use this tutorial

                        Let's get started!

How to access Web of Science

We are starting at the A-Z Database list.

• Click W
• Click Web of Science - Core Collection
• Enter your username and password
• You are now in the Basic Search screen in Web of Science

Note: The A-Z Database list is found on the UOW Library homepage.

How to search Web of Science

We want "solar power" and arid to be the main subject of what we find.

It is useful to brainstorm alternative search words.

• For this topic we will use "solar power" OR "solar energy" because they mean the same thing.
• In the next search line we use arid OR desert because they also mean the same thing.

Lets replicate the search in the image below:

• Click on the image to enlarge it and look at how the words have been entered
• To add a new search field click on + Add row

Click on Search

Search Tips Explained

Search Results Page

The number of results appears on the top left of the screen.

Sometimes you will get an overwhelming number of results and other times you will get too few or none at all.

If you have too many search results you will need to refine your search, one way to do this is to add more search words.

Search Results Page

Click on any article title in the results to view the full details.

Are there any other search words you can use to improve your search? Check the:

• Abstract
• Keywords
• Categories/ Classification

Enter at least one additional search word or phrase you find into the box below

Click on the 'Search results' link at the top of the page to continue

How to refine your search

Let's refine our search - Click Search at the top of the results.

Now select +Add row and enter the following search words – system OR technolog*

(see image below)

 

This will focus the topic and reduce the number of results.

Click 'Search'

Search Tips Explained

How to sort your search results

The number of results will vary in relation to the search words you use.

In Web of Science, the results appear in Publication date order (newest to oldest).

You can sort the results you get in different ways. Options available are shown above your search results.

Select Relevance to sort by by articles that most closely match the search words you have entered.

Now try sorting by Times Cited, this will help you identify key articles on the topic.

Tick the check box next to five (or more) results and Click on Add to Marked List

You have now added references to a temporary ‘Marked List’

Identifying top Journal titles

On the left side of the results are options to refine and limit your results.

Scroll down:

• Click the arrow next to Source Titles to see a list of the top journals which cover the search words used.

Enter one of the top journal titles in the box below

Limiting Results - Document Type

In the 'Refine Results' column on the left hand side go to 'Document Types'

Click the check box next to both ARTICLE and REVIEWS and click on Refine- Why?

Next we will refine the results to the most up to date research on the topic…

Limiting Results - Date Published

Often you will need to find very recent or up to date research.

Limit the by date to the last 5 years.

On the left side of the results are options to refine and limit your results.

• Under 'Refine Results' go to 'Publication Years'
• Click on more options/ values…
• Tick '2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015'
• Now click on 'Refine'
• Tick the check box for the first five results
• Click on Add to Marked List

Hint

Lists

Now go to your temporary list.

Click the Marked List link at the top right of the page.

In this list, you have saved several articles/review articles on the topic. You can print, email, and export your list.

Click on the Export icon and email the marked list to yourself. (see image) 

Registering for a personalised Web of Science account - click here for info

If you decide to register, you can save a search you have done by clicking on Search History near the top of the screen or above the results. 

Accessing the full text

In the results list, immediately under each result is a link for reading the full text of the article (if available).

The link will say:

Find Full Text

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