IEEE Xplore - Search tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to search the IEEE Xplore database for journal articles and conference papers.

You can use the skills you learn here, to find literature for your assessment tasks in most Library databases.

To get started:

  • Use the arrows below to work through the tutorial.
  • Click here for more information

                            ...........................

Let’s begin!

How to access IEEE Xplore

We are starting at the A-Z Database list.

• Click I
• Click IEEE Xplore
• Enter your username and password
• You are now in IEEE Xplore

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

How to search IEEE Xplore

We are looking for journal articles and conference papers using the example topic :

                             .....................

‘Discuss the concept of sustainable engineering design using examples related to the built environment’

                             .....................

The main search words are: sustainable AND engineering design AND built environment

Click on the image below to see how to enter the search.

In the search screen:

  • Select 'Full Text & Metadata' (from drop down menu)
  • Type the search words as shown below
  • Click 'SEARCH'
IEEE Advanced Keyword Search

  Search tips explained

Search Results Page

How many results did you get?

Searching is a process

1 of 2

Sometimes you'll get too many results, and other times not enough.

If you don’t get enough results you can expand your search using alternative words.

TIP: You can use the most relevant results in the list to identify alternative words.

Click on the title of the following article in your results list:

*Fuzzy Logic Based Built Environment Impact Assessment for Urban Regeneration Simulation*

Click on 'Keywords' to see a list of words and phrases that have been assigned to this article. (see image for help)

IEEE result click on 'Keywords'

 

* Using the words and phrases in this list complete the activity on the next page.

Searching is a process

2 of 2

'Keywords' activity

Check answer

Check answer

Check answer

 

To change your search and add these new search words, click on 'Back to results' (see image for help)

IEEE back to results button

Changing your search

You can now re-enter your search using these alternative words and phrases. 

Use the back arrow on your browser to return to Advanced Search.

In the search screen:

  • Make sure you have selected 'Full Text & Metadata'
  • Type the alternative search words as shown using OR
  • Click 'SEARCH'
IEEE Advanced Search Revised
 
Use the image above to see how to enter the search.

Limiting results

1 of 3

If you get too many results you can use 'limits' to reduce your results. Examples of limits include: content type, date range, indexed keywords and more.

Content type

In our sample question we are asked to find conference papers or journal articles

To limit by content type:

  • Tick - Conferences, Early Access articles, Journals & Magazines
  • Click on the 'Apply' button
  • If you need help view the image below

IEEE Limiting results to conference papers and articles

Limiting results

2 of 3

Date range

Often you will be asked to find up-to-date or current information on your topic. You can limit your results to a single year or a range.

To limit by date range:

  • Enter the range from 2014 to 2019
  • Click on the Apply button
  • If you need help view the image below

IEEE Date range

 *Any articles older than 2014 will now be excluded from your search results*

Limiting results

3 of 3

Publication Topics

You can use 'Publication Topics' to focus your search results to the most relevant to your topic. 

Publication topics are drawn from index terms and describe the content of articles in your search result set.

To limit by Publication Topics:

  • Scroll down and click on Publication Topics
  • Tick relevant words and phrases relating to your topic
  • Click 'View more' to see a full list
  • When you are done, click the 'Apply' button at the bottom of the list

 

Finding Full Text

This symbol indicates that the Full Text of the article is available via the database.

IEEE Full Text is available Symbol

The html and pdf icons are links to the Full Text

IEEE Full Text icons

  • (html) - Allows you to view the article online
  • PDF - Allows you to download and save the article

 

Why do you think it might be helpful to save a pdf version of your article?

a. For referencing
b. Storage
c. Access anywhere

* Practice by either viewing the html link or downloading a PDF.

Practice with your own topic

Remember you can use these skills for any assessment task! Practice using IEEE Xplore with your own topic.

Feedback

1 of 2

Thank you for completing this Library tutorial.

So that we can evaluate and improve our tutorials, we would appreciate if you could provide anonymous feedback.

Feedback

2 of 2

Ask Us

If you need further help please Ask us.

Certificate

Please enter your name to print a copy of your completed quiz.

Print or save your certificate as a PDF to keep for your records or to send to your instructor.