How do I search and/or navigate the new EBSCOhost platform?

An overview of how to navigate searching, filters, browsing, and the Dashboard on the new EBSCOhost interface.

Answer

My Dashboard

  • The Dashboard, available in the column on the left side of EBSCOhost is where you will find your Projects, Saved items, Searches, and items you've Viewed. Items in your Dashboard are saved and can be accessed whenever you are signed in, including your MyEBSCO folder in EBSCOhost and the classic version of EBSCOhost. In addition, items bookmarked in your Dashboard are also available from the Saved tab of the EBSCO Mobile app when signed into the app. For more information about the various features in My Dashboard, please see our FAQ about various functionality on the new EBSCOhost interface.

Searching

  • Advanced Search

    • This is the default search method for all EBSCOhost databases. For step-by-step instructions on how to conduct an Advanced Search, please see EBSCO's tutorial.

  • Basic Search

    • Basic Search can be selected for a simpler search interface if users prefer. There are limited filters to select from this search screen, which will require users to apply multiple, more advanced filters after they submit their search. View EBSCO's Basic Searching tutorial for more instructions.

  • PICOT Search

    • PICOT Search is only available for specific health sciences databases, including MEDLINE and CINAHL.

Search Mode Options

  • Proximity

    • Searches for terms in proximity to one another. For example, the search web accessibility gets searched as web N5 accessibility, which means “web” and “accessibility” separated by five words or less, in any order. A record will be returned only if all the words searched are found within the same field, such as title, subject, or abstract. There is no proximity across fields or subfields. This mode also supports Boolean searching when explicit Boolean operators are included between terms.

  • Find all my search terms

    • Automatically searches with Boolean “AND” between all search terms, for example, the search web accessibility gets searched as web AND accessibility.

  • Find any of my search terms

    • Automatically searches with Boolean “OR” between all search terms, for example, the search web accessibility gets searched as web OR accessibility.

  • SmartText Searching

    • You can copy and paste large chunks of text into the search box, for example a paragraph or a page. SmartText Searching technology reduces the text entered to the most important search terms based on term frequency (TF) and inverse document frequency (IDF) calculations of the terms in the query and the databases searched and then creates a weighted Boolean query for search execution.

  • Natural Language

    • Natural Language Search (NLS) mode is an advanced search feature that allows users to query using everyday language. Instead of relying on complex keywords or Boolean operators, NLS enables users to form searches in a more conversational manner.

Applying Filters

  • You can apply filters before or after a search is completed. Advanced Search gives you a larger selection of filters to apply prior to submitting your search. Both Advanced and Basic Searches will allow you to adjust your results by applying filters after the search is submitted as well. Each database within EBSCOhost will have unique filters to apply. These unique filters can be found at the bottom of the search box page or at the bottom of the filters menu from the results page.

Applying Expanders

  • Expanders broaden searches based on which expanders you select. To apply expanders, you must use the Advanced Search.

  • Common expanders that can appear below the Refine Search sub-tab include:

    • Apply related words - Select this option to expand results to include true synonyms and plurals of your terms.

      Example: A search for Neoplasm with the Apply Related Words expander applied would also search for Tumor, Tumour, Tumors, Tumor's, Tumours, and Tumour's.

    • Also search within the full text of the articles - Select this option to search for your keywords within the full text of articles, as well as abstract and citation information. This applies only to words not qualified by a field code.

    • Apply equivalent subjects - Select this option to utilize mapped vocabulary terms to add precision to unqualified keyword searches.

  • To create a search using an expander:

  1. Click Advanced Search on the Basic search screen (if necessary).

  2. Enter your search terms in the guided style search boxes.

  3. Select the expander you want to use from the Search Options section below the search boxes.

  4. Click Search. The Result List appears.

Search History

  • Search history is only kept for your current browser session, unless you save your search to your Dashboard. To locate your Search History, navigate to Recent Activity under My Dashboard. The Search History tab will list your most recent searches. From this page, you can combine searches and save searches to refer back to them in another browser session.

Combining Searches

Finding a Specific Journal

Topics

  • Last Updated May 16, 2025
  • Views 2
  • Answered By Rachel Wallenbeck, MLIS

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