Selecting Multiple Databases to Search

If enabled by your library, you can use the cross-search feature of PowerSearch to search multiple Gale databases simultaneously with a single query.

Note: The list of Gale databases that can be included in a cross-search continues to grow. However, your library may subscribe to some databases which cannot be cross-searched. These collections are listed separately on the Database Menu.

Here's how to launch a cross-search:

  1. Click the Change Databases link on the title bar to return to the Database Menu.
  2. Select one or more databases to include in your search by clicking to place a check mark in the Select box in front of a database name. Or click Select All to include all the cross-searchable collections shown in your search (selected databases will be highlighted). Databases that do not have a Select box cannot be included in a cross-search.
  3. Click the Submit button to launch PowerSearch. All searches from this point forward will search within the databases you selected.

Note: Once you begin cross-searching databases, you will automatically begin using PowerSearch, even if you had previously been using another Gale database.

You must include at least one database in your cross-search. On the search input forms (for example, the Basic Search page), a Currently Searching message line will indicate how many databases are included in your cross-search, along with the total number of documents searched and the most recent update date. Clicking the Currently Searching nn Database(s) link will take you to the Database Menu, where you can view which databases have been selected for cross-searching. In addition, the database from which each document was found will appear as part of your search results.

Your library may have chosen one or more databases to be selected by default for inclusion in a cross-search. Also, the system will "remember" the last set of databases you searched during your current session. Simply click on a Select box to remove the check mark if you do not wish for a particular database to be used in your next cross-search.

Hint: Clicking the Select All box to remove the check mark will de-select all databases (remove all check marks).

Once you are cross-searching using PowerSearch, you may return to the Database Menu by clicking Change Databases. From the Database Menu you may either select different databases to cross-search, or decide to search directly within a single collection.