FAQs: Finding Articles

These FAQs cover: Using the online databases and periodical indexes.

Items in bold are popular questions.

Questions

  1. How do I access the Databases and Periodical Indexes?
  2. How do I get the full-text of the articles that I found in my database search?
  3. I am having trouble searching the databases. I either pull up hundreds of citations or almost no citations at all. How can I improve my search?
  4. Are there any other places I can look for information on my topic besides the databases and the online catalog?
  5. Can I use my colleague number and PIN to access the databases?
  6. How do I get an ERNIE username and password so I can log into the Databases?
  7. How do I know which database to use?
  8. I am not current student, staff or faculty, but I am working with a current Embry-Riddle affiliate. Can I get access to your electronic databases, like ProQuest or Aerospace and High Technology Database?
  9. I use AOL or Compuserve to access the Internet, and I am having problems accessing some of the databases. What should I do?
  10. When I try to access ProQuest, I am asked for another username and password. Where do I get this information?
  11. When I try to access PsycINFO, I am asked for a username and password. What username and password should I use?
  12. When I try to access the AIAA Publications database, I am asked for a username and password. What should I do?
  13. When I try to log in to Aerospace and High Technology Database or National Technical Information Service (NTIS) all I get is a white page with a grey box. How do I log in to these databases?

Answers

  1. How do I access the Databases and Periodical Indexes?

    The Databases and Periodical Indexes are only accessible through ERNIE. You can access ERNIE now or, if you need further assistance, please read our Databases and Periodical Indexes Access Instructions. [Back to Top]

  2. How do I get the full-text of the articles that I found in my database search?

    While several of the Hunt Library's databases will provide you with full-text articles, most of the library's databases will provide you with only a citation and brief abstract or summary. To request the full-text of these articles and reports, you should follow the directions found in the Online Instructions for the database you are using. Any items from your database searches that are not available here in the library may be requested through Interlibrary Loan. [Back to Top]

  3. I am having trouble searching the databases. I either pull up hundreds of citations or almost no citations at all. How can I improve my search?

    Developing a good search strategy can be difficult sometimes, particularly since each database has a different interface and a different way to search. Please see Help Searching the Databases for guidance. [Back to Top]

  4. Are there any other places I can look for information on my topic besides the databases and the online catalog?

    The Internet can be another place to find valuable information on your topic. You do, however, need to be careful about verifying the source of any information you locate on the web. To assist you in finding reliable information on the web, the Library's Reference Department has compiled a collection of useful links in the Recommended Websites which are available on the Library's homepage. These links are arranged by broad subject categories and then are broken down into more specific topics. We have also provided a section on Evaluating Web Sites.

    To access Recommended Websites, please follow these instructions:

    1. Go to the Library's homepage ( http://amelia.db.erau.edu/)
    2. Click on your student status: Daytona Beach Campus or Embry-Riddle Worldwide.
    3. Click on "Recommended Websites."
    [Back to Top]

  5. Can I use my colleague number and PIN to access the databases?

    No, the library databases and periodical indexes can only be accessed through ERNIE with a username and password. The colleague number and PIN will not log you in to ERNIE or the library's databases. [Back to Top]

  6. How do I get an ERNIE username and password so I can log into the Databases?

    The library does not issue ERNIE username and passwords, but you can obtain help on the ERNIE log in page. Once on the ERNIE log in page, click on Setup your account if you have not yet obtained an ERAU password.

    If you've just forgotten your password, click on Reset your password. You will need to know your username in order to reset your password. [Back to Top]

  7. How do I know which database to use?

    The Database and Periodical Index Online Instructions will provide you with the information you need. These online instructions will describe what subject areas the databases cover, the number of years covered by each database, and whether you will find full-text items or citations and abstracts. To access the Online Instructions, please follow these steps:

    1. Go to the Hunt Library's Homepage (http://amelia.db.erau.edu).
    2. Click on your student status: Daytona Beach Campus or Embry-Riddle Worldwide.
    3. Click on Databases and Periodical Indexes.
    4. Click on the ERNIE link near the top or bottom of the page.
    5. Login to ERNIE with your username and password.
    6. Locate the "Colleague Admin Services" module on your Welcome page.
    7. Click on Library Databases. This will bring you to the Databases and Periodical Indexes access page.
    8. Click on the Online Instructions link for any one of the databases, or click on "Need Help Choosing a Database?"

    If you need further assistance selecting or searching a particular database, please contact the Hunt Library Reference Department. The Reference Department is staffed by librarians who will help you find the information you need. Worldwide students may contact a Reference Librarian via email (library@erau.edu) or by phone at 800-678-9428 (Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm ET). Voice mail is available if you call after these hours. Daytona Beach students may call 386-226-6604, email Reference Desk Online (dbref@erau.edu), or stop by the Reference Desk when you are on campus. [Back to Top]

  8. I am not current student, staff or faculty, but I am working with a current Embry-Riddle affiliate. Can I get access to your electronic databases, like ProQuest or Aerospace and High Technology Database?

    No. The electronic databases are restricted to current students, staff, and faculty due to our licensing agreements with the database vendors. [Back to Top]

  9. I use AOL or Compuserve to access the Internet, and I am having problems accessing some of the databases. What should I do?

    Some of the databases are sensitive about what Internet browsers you can use. Most of the databases will open using Internet Explorer. If you are using Netscape, you will be able to access some of the databases but not all of them. If you are using AOL or Compuserve, we recommend following the instructions for America Online (AOL) and Compuserve Users.

    If these suggestions do not remedy your problems, please contact us for additional assistance. Worldwide students may contact the Hunt Library via email (library@erau.edu) or by phone at 800-678-9428 (Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm ET). Voice mail is available if you call after these hours. Daytona Beach students may call 386-226-6604, email Reference Desk Online (dbref@erau.edu), or stop by the Reference Desk when you are on campus. [Back to Top]

  10. When I try to access ProQuest, I am asked for another username and password. Where do I get this information?

    The problem you are having with ProQuest does happen occasionally, but you do not need another username and password. Try one of these suggestions.

    • If you have a personal firewall installed (for example, Norton Internet Security, Norton Personal Firewall, Zone Alarm Pro, McAfee Internet Security), please lower the security settings and again try to access the database. If this doesn't work, you may need to totally disable the firewall. After logging into the database, you might be able to re-enable the firewall at that point and still do your searching. If you do encounter trouble accessing the full text of documents, you will need to adjust your firewall back to the lower/disabled setting, but please remember to re-set your firewall after completing your session with the databases.
    • Go to http://www.umi.com/cookiecutter and click on "Click here to reset your browser." Now try accessing ProQuest again.
    • The "cookies" setting in your browser might have to be adjusted. Please read our suggestions on Cookies for Netscape and Internet Explorer Users.
    • Other computer software that might interfere with the database login process are web accelerators such as NetZero HiSpeed as well as ad-blockers and pop-up blockers. Having your computer set to NOT accept/allow or to block cookies can cause problems as some databases might require that you accept a cookie. Remember, you can always delete any cookies added to your computer after completing your session.
    • Another possible problem is that some of the databases are sensitive to the type of internet browser you are using. Some databases recommend a particular browser (usually Netscape or Internet Explorer). People that use America Online (AOL) and Compuserve have experienced problems accessing the Hunt Library's databases in the past. If you use one of these browsers to access the Hunt Library's homepage, we suggest you see our instructions for AOL and Compuserve Users.
    [Back to Top]

  11. When I try to access PsycINFO, I am asked for a username and password. What username and password should I use?

    After you login to ERNIE, you should not be asked for another username and password. If this happens, there may be two possible solutions for the problems you are experiencing with PsycINFO and the other Webspirs databases.
    • The "cookies" setting in your browser might have to be adjusted. Please read our suggestions on Cookies for Netscape and Internet Explorer Users.
    • The databases might not respond to the type of browser that you are using. If you are using a browser other than Netscape or Internet Explorer (IE), please see our suggestions for America Online and Compuserve Users.
    • If you have a personal firewall installed (for example, Norton Internet Security, Norton Personal Firewall, Zone Alarm Pro, McAfee Internet Security), please lower the security settings and again try to access the database. If this doesn't work, you may need to totally disable the firewall. After logging into the database, you might be able to re-enable the firewall at that point and still do your searching. If you do encounter trouble accessing the full text of documents, you will need to adjust your firewall back to the lower/disabled setting, but please remember to re-set your firewall after completing your session with the databases.
    • Other computer software that might interfere with the database login process are web accelerators such as NetZero HiSpeed as well as ad-blockers and pop-up blockers. Having your computer set to NOT accept/allow or to block cookies can cause problems as some databases might require that you accept a cookie. Remember, you can always delete any cookies added to your computer after completing your session.
    [Back to Top]

  12. When I try to access the AIAA Publications database, I am asked for a username and password. What should I do?

    • Because of a slight technical problem, the AIAA Publications database can only be viewed using Internet Explorer 5.x or 6.x. Please do not use Netscape if you are attempting to use this database.
    • If you have a personal firewall installed (for example, Norton Internet Security, Norton Personal Firewall, Zone Alarm Pro, McAfee Internet Security), please lower the security settings and again try to access the database. If this doesn't work, you may need to totally disable the firewall. After logging into the database, you might be able to re-enable the firewall at that point and still do your searching. If you do encounter trouble accessing the full text of documents, you will need to adjust your firewall back to the lower/disabled setting, but please remember to re-set your firewall after completing your session with the databases.
    • Other computer software that might interfere with the database login process are web accelerators such as NetZero HiSpeed as well as ad-blockers and pop-up blockers. Having your computer set to NOT accept/allow or to block cookies can cause problems as some databases might require that you accept a cookie. Remember, you can always delete any cookies added to your computer after completing your session.
    [Back to Top]

  13. When I try to log in to Aerospace and High Technology Database or National Technical Information Service (NTIS) all I get is a white page with a grey box. How do I log in to these databases?

    The vendor of these products, Cambridge Scientific Abstracts (CSA) has recently changed their Java applet code making it necessary for you to download an upgrade to Java. To upgrade your Java, please follow these instructions: Upgrading Java. [Back to Top]

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