Alberta Research Portal

Alberta Research Portal Main Page

From the main page, you can access the main search (which only searches the Gale Primary Resources), collections, and eBooks.

Alberta Research Portal Search

Type in what you would like to search and hit enter or click the magnifying glass.

Search Results

When searching using the main search engine, you will get likely get an overwhelming number of results. Narrowing down your search by using more search terms or selecting a more relevant database can be helpful. 

Collections

In the grey bar, select the "Collections" tab.  Collections are different databases that are grouped together to make your search easier. These collections are separated by subject. Select any resource to search within that collection.

Search

Once you have selected the collection you want to search, the next screen will show you the advanced search. When using databases with vast resources, it can be more beneficial to use more specific search techniques. Located under the search bar you can find the "Search Tips". This shows you which operators this database uses to help narrow your search. You can use Boolean operators (using the words AND, NOT, OR), proximity and nesting operators, as well as wildcards. The "Search Tips" will describe what these operators are and how to use them. 

Searching

The search shown here demonstrates how the Boolean operators work. This will search the database for anything that has lions and tigers listed, but will exclude any search results that have the word "bear" listed. You can add more lines of terms if you need to search something specific. You can use the drop down menus to further customize your search.

Selecting a Database within a Collection

Searching within a collection will search every database in the collection, this might not be beneficial to you. Once you have selected your collection, you can narrow your search by selecting or deselecting a database you don't want to use. You can do this by clicking the red "Gale Primary Sources" button in the top left corner of the screen. 

Choosing Your Resource

At the top of your search results page, you will first see a list of what types of content contain your search terms. For the search in a previous image, it found 8 newspapers & periodicals, 26 monographs, 76 magazines, 78 manuscripts, and 1 photograph related to my search. 

If you are only looking for a specific content type, select it from that top bar. You can also scroll through your results to see if there is a resource that works for your needs. If you are scrolling through the results, not using filters, make sure you are paying attention to the collection or publication that are listed on the search results.

You can also further narrow your search by selecting a filter listed on the right hand side of the page. This can sort your results by document type, language, source library and more.

Choosing Your Resource

The search results will have more information to help you choose which is a source that you might be able to use. Looking at the collection and publication source can tell you if it will be more relevant to your search. Some research might need you to look at newer sources, so make sure you look at the publication or release date on the item as well.

Using a Resource

After selecting resource you want to look at, you will have more options to search within the text. You can also view a table of contents, view any illustrated works in the resource, and get a full citation for a bibliography. In the top right corner of the screen, you will also find the citation, a send button if you need to forward to yourself or a classmate, download to view later, print, or to copy the link. You also have the ability to rotate any images or text, zoom in or out, as well as change how you view any images.

Citing Your Source

Giving credit to the person or entity who create a resource is very important. Plagiarism is a serious offence, which is also very easy to avoid by citing your sources. The Alberta Research Portal offers citations using different formats like MLA, APA, and Chicago. 

Topic Finder

You can access the topic finder by clicking the "Topic Finder" tab next to the advanced search tab. Using the search bar, you can type in whatever you're searching for. The topic finder will analyze the search results and give you a breakdown of the most popular type of results you would find.

Topic Finder

Using the same search query above, "lions", we are given this result. Clicking any of the larger tiles will then show you another subject breakdown within that breakdown. It will also show you the relevant search results on the right hand side of the screen.

eBooks

EBooks are broken down by their subject. Select a subject to view relevant eBooks or scroll through the whole collection.

Reading the eBook

Click the "View eBook" button under the book cover to read or select a chapter from the Table of contents.

In the top right corner, you can view the source citation, get a link to the book, as well as view any highlighting or notes you made in the eBook. There is also a search function on the right side of the screen that allows you to search within the publication.

Reading the eBook

When reading the eBook in Book View, you will be unable to make any notes or highlight any section. However, you are able to do it in Text View. In either mode, you can view the citation for the book, send it to another, download the book, print, get a link, or view your notes and highlights. You can access these option in the top right bar.

In Book View, you can zoom in and out on the page, but the Text View gives more options. You can translate the document, increase or decrease the font size, change the font colour, change the font between 4 other options (including a dyslexic font), and change the spacing. 

Highlights and Notes

Highlight any text you would like to save to review later. Highlighting text will prompt this screen, which allows you to change the highlight colour, cite that passage, define words, and add a note. It will also give you an option to delete a note or highlight if it's no longer relevant to you.

Citation and Terms

Citing your sources is incredibly important. At the bottom of the screen, there will be another space to view and copy the citation using 4 different citation formats.

The terms listed at the bottom are useful to help you create your next search query. You can use these terms as a jumping off point, a spot to start your search and branch out in order to get the best information for your search.