RefWorks adds publicly available or free catalogs and databases that have a Z39.50 capability (Z39.50 is a way to search and retrieve information from remote computer databases). Organizational subscribers can add subscription databases for search in this area as well.
The Search Online Catalog or Database area is where you can perform a quick search or an Advanced Search of the resources available.
Note: Many data providers limit the amount number references that are retrievable via Z39.50 searching. Your search results may also differ from results you would retrieve if you searched the catalog or database directly.
To search PubMed and various Z39.50 compatible databases:
From either the Search or Tools menu select Online Catalog or Database.
Under Online Database to Search, select the database. In some cases you will need to select both the data provider and the database.
Select the maximum number of references you want to download.
Type your search strategy in the Quick Search box or in the Advanced Search lines and click Search.
You see the progress of the search and download in a separate window. In a Z39.50 site search, you sees the progress of the search with each reference represented by a # mark and then see the progress of the import to a RefWorks temporary window – each reference represented by an asterisk *. In a PubMed search, the two steps are combined and each reference is represented by an asterisk.
The results of your search are shown in a RefWorks search results window. This window functions much like the reference view window in RefWorks, however these records are not in your database until you choose to import them.
Note: The Quick Search box supports advanced searching using Tags for PubMed (only). A detailed list of tags from the PubMed Help can be found at: http:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/ bv.fcgi? rid=helppubmed.chapter.pubmedhelp
To view the details of a reference, click the View link next to the reference.
Keep in mind that the search results window is a temporary window, and the references appearing here are lost when you close the RefWorks program or you perform another online search.
To permanently import references into your database:
Select the references you want to import and either click the Import button or select a folder from the list. References are always placed in the Last Imported folder as they are when you import from the main program. If you have designated your default source type as electronic in the Tools, Customize area, the Electronic Source Related Fields will appear for you to update.
Searching varies depending upon the Z39.50 site itself. For example, some sites do not support a Pub Year search. In such a case, you can search only the fields allowed by that particular site. For details, contact the librarian or customer service department.
