Quicksearch FAQs

  1. What is QuickSearch?
  2. Why do I have problems using QuickSearch from home or my workplace?
  3. Do I need to 'sign in' to use QuickSearch?
  4. Which browser should I use?
  5. I clicked on the full text of an article but it took me to the home page of the journal/publisher. Why?
  6. Why didn't I get a full text link for my article?
  7. Why did my search return zero hits for a database?
  8. Why aren't all resources included in QuickSearch?
  9. What is SFX?
  10. What is eJournals A-Z?

1. What is QuickSearch?

QuickSearch is a Library search engine which finds books and eBooks, full-text journal articles, theses and multimedia in a single search. QuickSearch also allows you to select your favourite resources, save searches and records, and set up RSS or email alerts. Learn more in the QuickSearch user guide.

2. Why do I have problems using QuickSearch from home or my workplace?

QuickSearch is accessible regardless of your location. If you experience problems check the following:

  • Firewalls tend to cause problems for some people accessing QuickSearch from home or the workplace. Check to see that you have enabled access to port 8332 (QuickSearch), port 8991 (Login) and port 9003 (SFX).
  • Cookies are also important to the functioning of QuickSearch, so make sure your browser is set to accept cookies. If there is still a problem delete your cookies/clear your cache.

3. Do I need to sign in to use QuickSearch?

If you are not on campus you will be prompted to log in as soon as you try to access any licensed material such as full-text from an online journal. However, when searching with QuickSearch, the library recommends logging in with student ID and password when prompted by the yellow banner, to gain wider access to results, particularly when studying from off-campus.

4. Which browser should I use?

The browsers recommended for QuickSearch are Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox version 3 or higher can also be used. Remember to enable cookies in your browser.

5. I clicked on the full text of an article but it took me to the home page of the journal/publisher. Why?

QuickSearch allows you to get to the full text of an article but in some cases, due to the way publishers provide access, you might need to follow further links through Find it! (SFX) to access the article. In some cases you might be required to search again within the publisher's pages.

6. Why didn't I get a full-text link for my article?

There are a number of reasons why a full text link to your article does not appear, including:

  • There is no full text version available, either for that journal or for specific volumes (i.e. older issues) of that title.
  • Federation University Library does not hold a subscription to that title in electronic format.
  • Some publishers place an embargo on journal titles so the most recent issues (i.e. twelve months or more) may not be available for viewing.
  • Newly published works may not have been placed in aggregated electronic databases and may require a few weeks to appear.
  • The database might not be sending SFX the correct information it needs to find the article. You might experience this problem with some newspaper and Informit databases.

7. Why did my search return zero hits for a database?

There could be a number of reasons why this could occur:

  • The database has no records matching your search.
  • You used truncation and the database does not support this.
  • If you are searching for a specialist term in a particular subject area, then it is usually much better to search in the 'native interface' e.g. a medical term in CINAHL (EBSCO).

8. Why aren't all resources included in QuickSearch?

Not all databases comply with the technology of QuickSearch to enable users to cross-search multiple databases at the same time. As this technology is becoming established more publishers are complying and Federation Library will be adding these databases as they become available. In the meantime, these non-compliant databases can be used in a 'native interface' via the A-Z listing under the Search for individual databases.

9. What is SFX?

SFX is a bridge from the citation to the databases that hold full text and other options such as:

10. What is eJournals A-Z?

eJournals A-Z searching will list and link to all electronic journal titles subscribed to by the Library. Listing includes database details, coverage (e.g. 1992-2008), any embargoes (e.g. the last year's volumes are not available), and will provide you with a link to the title.