How to search

Basic search

Searching on the ADF Library webpage is just like searching Google.

You can also refine the search, save the search, save items and make lists, email an item, cite the item and send it to Endnote and save the permalink for your referencing. For a look at each of these options download the PDF below:

Advanced Search

Searching by the Advanced Search allows more precise initial results. There are three entry points to begin an Advanced Search including Advanced searching on the ADF Library webpage and Advanced searching on ADF Library’s WorldCat Discovery.

Find a Print Book

Print books are purchased for the ADF Library when an important title is not available as an eBook. Surprisingly, many books are only published as print. Please see the user guide How to Borrow Print Books to learn how to access print titles. This guide will show you two ways to find print books in the ADF Library, via the ADF Library webpage and on ADF’s WorldCat Discovery.

How to find an eBook.

eBooks are the preferred book format for the ADF Library collection. Please see the user guide How Use an eBook to learn how to access eBook titles. This guide will show you how to find eBooks in the ADF Library, how to search via the eBooks Browse A-Z feature and how to search via ADF’s WorldCat Discovery.

How to find journals and articles within journals.

The ADF Library subscribes to many relevant journals from a variety of publishers including Elsevier Science Direct, Wiley Online Library, Taylor and Francis, Oxford University Press, Sage, Gale, Emerald and Information. There are also many open access journals included in our collection.

Please see the user guide How to use a journal article to learn how to access articles in the journals. This guide will show you how to find journals in the ADF Library, how to search for journals via the A-Z Journals feature and how to find journals by searching ADF’s WorldCat Discovery.

How to find journal articles

Journal articles are the latest research evidence available. For most writers and students, research published within the last five years is most relevant. For literature reviews and systematic reviews, evidence from the last twenty-five years is often required.

The ADF Library offers three ways to search for and find journal articles. You can search via the ADF Library webpage, on the ADF’s WorldCat Discovery and in Libraries Worldwide, Use the How to use journal article guide for further assistance.

How to add ADF Library to Google Scholar

See which articles in Google Scholar are available free in the ADF Library.

Search Tips

When you want to refine your search technique further than the user guides provided, try these tips and tricks.