Using the databases selection tool—DIALINDEX
Whether our search interface is DialogWeb or Classic Dialog, the Databases selection tool, DIALINDEX, available free on DialogWeb, simplifies database selection for us by arranging databases by subject. DIALINDEX lets us preview search results across a group of databases. This enables us to identify databases that contain records on the subject. Once we know which database(s) has information on our topic, we can redo the search in the best one.
The search below is demonstrated using DialogWeb. You will have a chance to try searching DialogWeb on your own for the practice exercises at the end of the lesson.
To get started on DialogWeb, I will go to DialogWeb (www.dialogweb.com) and logon by entering my user ID and password and clicking the 
button.
For a brief step-by-step review of the DialogWeb log on procedure, click here.
Logon Page
Once I am logged on, I click Go to Command Search and the Command Search main page appears.
The Command Search main page contains:
- A text box for entering Dialog search commands
- A Submit button that sends the command
- A Previous button that displays the most recent command entries
Since I am using DIALINDEX to identify which databases have information on our topic, I click Databases and a list of subject categories displays. Tip 1
Now, I must choose from the eight (8) main subject categories. I'll click on Science and Technology. We will see that each category is further divided into focused search topics.
For Brian's search, I will select the Research and Development category to display because I want technical articles worldwide.
A list of databases appears. These databases contain information at a technical level about a variety of scientific and technical topics. I will select Engineering.
Remember that the type of information we need will direct our choice of category. In this case, I want to see if there is coverage of the Iridium project.
I then click the Engineering Research category that provides a listing of approximately 20 databases containing technical engineering literature.
Go to the next page to continue
the search.
