GUIDE TO RESEARCH PORT (PORTAL TO LANGSDALE LIBRARY)
SCOPE:
Research Port is the gateway to Langsdale Library's electronic resources. It enables you to access the library's subscription databases, search the library catalog (catalog usmai) and locate additional web resources. You may search multiple databases in Research Port and access links to full-text resources using the FIND IT full text locator. You may also customize your own Research Port, adding favorite databases and online journals, storing searches for later use, search alerts and saving articles.
ACCESSING RESEARCH PORT:
On campus you can use Research Port as a guest or you may log in as a registered user. It is recommended that you log in as a user because as a guest you are unable to save your searches. You can only access Research Port off-campus by logging in as a registered user.
To log in
as an registered user:
1. Go to http://langsdale.ubalt.edu,
select the Databases button on the left, then click on the Research Port
logo 
or go directly to http://researchport.umd.edu/V.
2. Enter your 14-digit library bar code number, which must be updated
each semester at the Circulation Desk (410-837-4260).
3. Select the institution with which you are affiliated from the drop
down menu box, in this instance, University of Baltimore.
4. If you are affiliated with more than one campus in the University System
of Maryland, you may choose to use the databases at any of the schools
with which you are affiliated. If you have difficulty accessing UB or
another campus’ databases, please contact the Circulation Desk at
410-837-4260.
SEARCHING THE DATABASES:
1) QUICKSEARCH: QuickSearch is fast and easy, BUT it is NOT the best method to use. You can either perform a ‘Simple’ or ‘Advanced’ search by entering term(s) and clicking Go. In QuickSearch there are three options: Table View, which displays records in a Table; Brief View, which provides citation information; and Record Details, which shows a page for each record and highlights the searched keywords.
2)
DATABASES: By clicking on the Database tab, you will retrieve
three options: by Subject Category, by Name, and by Vendor. By Name permits
you to search for a database by name (eg., PsycInfo). By Vendor permits
you to search for instance, EBSCO databases, Gale databases, etc. By Subject
Category, two boxes are displayed; the one on the left will list subject
categories, such as Arts and Humanities, Business, etc. The box on the
right will list Subcategories: Core Databases, which are central to your
subject; Related Databases, which are tangential to your subject; Books,
and Reference/other resources, usually encyclopedias or handbooks. If
you highlight one of the subject categories on the left, you will note
in the subcategories box on the right, a list, which indicates in parentheses
the number of databases in that particular subcategory. You will then
retrieve a Database List for the selected category. In the grey bar, you
will note a link to Brief View and Table View; when either is selected
you can retrieve the other databases in that subject category. Select
the database you wish to save by clicking on the circle with the grey
plus sign 
in it. You will note a small blue arrow 
;
this indicates the database(s) is to be saved in MY RESEARCH PORT (see
below) for future reference. The small magnifying icon 
indicates that you can begin searching in the database(s).
3) E-JOURNALS:
The e-journals tab permits you to search for a particular e-journal alphabetically,
by ISSN, and by Subject. After selecting an e-journal, you will note a
link to Brief View, which gives title, dates of coverage, possibly the
database, and button. Table View will list the e-journal name, ISSN and
FIND IT 
button.
When you click on ,
you will retrieve a page listing dates of coverage, which will link to
full-text articles that appear in that particular journal for a particular
date. If you are logged in as a registered user, you will see in "Brief
View, a plus sign 
beside each title that allows you to select that journal for your personalize
set of e-journals in "My Research Port."
4) CROSS
SEARCH: By clicking on the Cross Search tab, you will be able
to search across several databases at one time UNLIKE THE DATABASE OPTION.
On the left, you will note three options: 1) choose database subject category,
quick search or find other databases; 2) Categories, and 3) Subcategories.
The subcategory options include: Core Databases, which are central to
your subject category, Related Databases, which are tangential to your
subject category, Books, which include the catalog (usmai), and other
Reference resources, which would be encyclopedias and handbooks. Whichever
subcategory you select, you will note that the list of databases in the
center will change. You can perform either a ‘Simple’ or ‘Advanced’
search. To the left of each database name, you will note a small box,
check it if you wish to search in that database. To the right of each
database name, you will note a heading "Type Actions". The yellow
circle 
will provide
a description of that database, for example, dates of coverage, vendor,
and search tips. If you click on the white circle ,
you will note a small blue arrow .
This indicates that you are saving the database(s) to in ‘My Database’
list. (See MY RESEARCH PORT below) NOTE: This can only be done if you
are logged in as registered user.
IF YOU
PERFORM EITHER A QUICK SEARCH, DATABASE SEARCH OR CROSS SEARCH, THE FOLLOWING
OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE:
1) FIND IT :
it will either indicate a link to the full-text article online or a print
copy of the journal article in Langsdale or another USM library.
2) ADD ITEM TO MY RESEARCH PORT: you can either save
it in your basket, save it to your disk or e-mail it. If saved in your
basket, you will note red lettering ITEM IN MY RESEARCH
PORT.
MY RESEARCH PORT:
In this feature, you will note a drop down menu box with the following headings: MY ITEMS, MY DATABASES, MY E-JOURNALS, HISTORY and PREFERENCES. If you are logged in, you may save individual e-journals, records of items found, searches you have performed and your preferred databases.
1)
SAVING DATABASES & E-JOURNALS TO "MY RESEARCH PORT:" As
you identify preferred databases and high-use e-journals, you may add
them to your own personal space in Research Port by clicking on the
icon to the
right of the database or journal title. Later, click on the "MY RESEARCH
PORT" to see the list of either your selected databases or e-journals.
2)
SAVING ITEMS: You
may also select individual citations into "MY RESEARCH PORT. As you
identify articles you would live to save, click on the link "Add
item to My Research Port." Once you have done so, the link will be
red and will change to "Item in My Research Port." Then, go
to "My Research Port." You will see all the items you have added
in a folder called "Basket." You may then change the name of
the folder to include all the items you have saved in a single folder
(click on the 
or 
icon
and name your file). You may also select individual items by checking
the box to the left of the item and click on the "Advanced"
option. This will split your window into two screens and allow you to
move selected files from the basket to the folder of your choice.
3)
SAVING SEARCHES: You may want to save an entire search to review
or rerun at a later time. To do so, click on the "Cross Search"
tab, and then click on "Previous Searches." You will see a list
of all the searches you have performed in during the time you have been
logged in. Click on the icon under "Action." A
will appear to replace it. Go into "My Research Port" and select
"History." You will then see the search that you have saved.
It will remain in your "History" until you choose to delete
it, and you may rerun and review the entire list of results from that
search at any time.
Howto_researchport: 9/04 lh