Jessup Playbooks Logo

How do I search EBSCO?

A quick reference for how to search EBSCO for articles

Need Help?

Ask a Librarian @
Betty Sue Jessup Library

501 College Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434.961.5309
reference@pvcc.edu

Searching EBSCO for articles

Step 1:

Use the Find Articles search box on the library's home page to search select databases from EBSCO, our largest multi-disciplinary database,  or click on the direct link above the search box.  (If you use the direct link, click Select/deselect all and then Continue.)

Step 2:

EBSCO searches every word of every article, so be very specific with your search terms. For best results, use concrete nouns and Boolean operators like AND, OR, or NOT. See the example below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 3:

From the results list, select articles of interest. Read the abstracts for a summary of the article and pay attention to the subjects. The subjects tell you what the article is actually about and can be helpful if you need alternative search terms.

Step 4:

To narrow your results, add additional search terms and/or use the Filters.

EBSCO filters

 

Step 5:

When you find an article of interest, pay attention to these areas:

  • The 3 dots in the top right corner give you the options to cite, add to a project, share, or download.
  • The Subjects show you important keywords that you may want to apply to a new search. 
  • Click on the Access Options to see whether the article is available as a PDF document, as an HTML document, or not available through the library's EBSCO subscription. If the latter, you will see the words "Check another database" under Access Options.

article options

Tips!

tip

  • EBSCO is not the best for literature; try these literature databases instead.
  • Some articles are not available through EBSCO to read immediately. If you see Check another database, then you can click on the link to see if the article is available in another database.
  • To cite your article, use the Citation Styles Playbook.

ResearchMinute Video: Using EBSCO

Watch this Research Minute video to learn how to search EBSCO.

Need Help?