Quick Start Guide: What is OneSearch, and when should I use it?

OneSearch is kind of like the "Google" of library resources.  OneSearch searches most (but not all) of the library's databases and catalogs simultaneously, along with a selection of open-source eBooks and articles from trusted web sources.  The results list will contain a wide variety of books, eBooks, videos, images, and articles from newspapers, magazines, and scholarly peer-reviewed journals that you can access with the click of a button.  Websites are NOT included in OneSearch results.

For in-depth searching of ALL of the library's subscribed resources, consider searching our databases individually instead!

• For newspaper content, search a newspaper database directly.
• For local information (ie. Kitsap County), search a newspaper database directly, or search the Internet directly via search engine (ie. Google). You can also consult our list of regional newspaper links.  
• If the "Available Online" link from your results list FAILS to retrieve the full text of the article, do the following:
  • Go back to the results list and select the link for the article title, instead of the "Available Online" link.
  • Next scroll down to the "View It" section of record. If there are multiple database names listed, select the link for the 2nd or 3rd option listed.
  • If there is only one option listed in the View It section, note the database name listed.  Go to the Databases List and search that database directly for the same article title.
• If you get ZERO RESULTS from your search, do the following:
  • Check your spelling.
  • Limit your search to 3 or fewer keywords.
  • If you still get zero results, activate the "Include non full-text results" filter on the left side of the blank results list.
  • If you now see results, select the title link even if it says "No Online Access." 
  • Scroll down the full record and look for a link in the "View it" or "Links" section of the record. If available try selecting those links. Sometimes we DO actually have a way to access the full text of the article for free using these hidden links.
  • If there is still no option to access the article, request it via InterLibrary Loan (ILL is free).
• Kanopy videos are NOT included in OneSearch. Ask your instructor for a direct link to your assigned Kanopy video.
• ScienceDirect book chapters and encyclopedia articles are NOT included in OneSearch results--search the database directly and then limit your results to "encyclopedia" and "book chapters" (under "Article type" on the left side of the page). 

Use OneSearch if:

• You want to view a wide variety of material types in a single results list.
• You only need a little information to get started on your research project, or are in a hurry.
• You don't need newspaper articles, or local information.
• You are ok with encountering occasional odd results and broken links.

Use individual research databases if:

• You want a thorough examination of your topic.  Searching individual databases will usually yield more thorough results.
• You need to run a very specific search using specialized filters (e.g. a peer-reviewed article describing evidence based practice, written by an RN)
• You need newspaper articles or articles on local/regional issues.
• You do not want to deal with occasional odd results and broken links.
• You want to access the scholarly book chapters and encyclopedia articles from the database ScienceDirect (these are not included in OneSearch results).