Quick Search FAQ  Tags: uwm quick_search metalib meta_search federated_search  

Quick Search allows simultaneous searching of multiple e-resources. This type of searching is called a federated search, or metasearching.

Quick Searching is one tool.  It is a way to quickly gather full text articles and citations from pre-chosen sources, and to investigate which resources may provide the best results for specific subjects.

Absolutely.  All the resources are available via their own "native" interface, via either the Library’s homepage under Resources A-Z or Resources by Subject.

Federated search engines are designed to search fields that are common to most information sources: title, author, keyword, publication date, etc.

By contrast, some native interfaces offer more specific searching. An example is a chemistry source’s ability to combine components and search for chemical reactions, or a psychology source’s use of a specialized vocabulary for search terms.

Quick Search is a quick place to begin, but if you are not getting enough relevant results, use the results to see which resources might be best , then go to the "native interface" for that specific resource.  As always, ask a librarian for advice at any point in your research process.

No. While the Quick Search subject categories are designed to search sets of standard  resources, there are many specialized resources not included.     

See the Search Help page within Quick Search, or Ask a Librarian for assistance.