Knowledge Portal | Metasearch (EDS)

EDS (EBSCO Discovery Service) is a metasearch engine for databases and library catalogs and provides a unified search entry point for discovery.

Several sources are included in the search and searched simultaneously. The display of the results is then bundled in a hit list. Both sources licensed by the ZU library as well as freely accessible sources (printed and/or digital) are included. The hit lists include bibliographic information, links to full texts (if available), abstracts and source references.

However, EDS is no substitute for in-depth research, but offers recommendations for suitable databases through the number of hits. EDS also makes no claim to completeness, since, among other things, never all licensed sources can or may be included.

EBSCO Concept Map

The Knowledge Portal gives you access to the Concept Map: a visual search engine for all EBSCO subject vocabulary data derived from the EBSCO Knowledge Graph.

It is a visual subject browse engine for the visual representation of related topics. The concept map shows the name of the concept, the definition or example sentence, the field or discipline and the relationships between the topics.

EDS is very well suited as a first entry into research and for covering many resources already with one search query (especially for thematic searches).

Tip: If a session has expired, it is usually no longer possible to see which hits were open. A possible solution, apart from saving beforehand, is to look at the browsing history.

The knowledge portal (EBSCO Discovery Service) is a powerful metasearch engine that searches a wide range of digital content from different sources simultaneously.

It provides access to full texts, abstracts and references and enables particularly in-depth research through additional search options such as keywords or related topics. A major advantage is that a large part of the library's holdings are covered in a single search. The “EDS Journal” search is also integrated, but can be used separately if required. However, it should be noted that not all licensed databases are included in the knowledge portal. It is also possible that the data is not always up-to-date with the OPAC or that links to full texts are missing.

In contrast, the online catalog (OPAC) focuses on the physical library holdings and licensed e-books. It is particularly suitable for a quick and targeted search for books, e-books, theses by ZU students, semester reserves, ZU dissertations and other special collections. The hit list is clearly arranged and only shows media that are actually available in the library's collection.

• Numerous tutorial videos are offered via EBSCO's YouTube channel "EBSCO Help".
  
• You can find more useful information about EBSCO's services on the Help page.
  

Particularly relevant sections from the help:

• Basic Search
• Advanced Search - Guided-Style Find Fields
• Search Modes
• Booleans
  

On the EDS homepage you will find the menu items "My Dashboard", "Research Tools" and "Links". Further setting options can be found under MyEBSCO. You can set the language settings for menus and information texts, among other things. To save settings or individual adjustments for later sessions, you may need a private user account.

Language settings:

You can choose from various languages. The default setting is German. Adjusting the language affects the menus and information texts, but not the display of hits / the hit list of an executed search.

Dashboard:

To save search results, such as permanent links to searches, articles or e-books for a later session, EBSCO provides various options via the dashboard.

To use this function, a private login to "My EBSCOhost" may be required. If you want to save search hits without this "folder" function, you can retrieve citation information or create permalinks.

Instructions can be found on the corresponding help pages

Notice:

A registration at "My EBSCOhost" is only required for some additional personalized functions.

All regular functions are already activated for members of ZU without a separate registration.

Search via EDS and select a desired search hit. You will find the menu item Cite, indicated by a ", via the menu items that appear next to the hit. Click on this menu item to go to the "Citation format". In the view that now appears, you will receive examples of citations for your search hit. You can scroll through the list of suggested citation styles.

The following options / formats are available:

• Copy citations in the desired style. (Various styles to choose from.)
• Export citations: EasyBib, RefWorks, EndNote Web, NoodleTools, RIS format (e.g. CITAVI, EasyBib, EndNote, Mendeley, NoodleTools, ProCite, RefWorks, Zotero, etc.).
• Share search hits by e-mail
• Download metadata: PDF; MSWORD, CSV, BIBTEX, MARC21, XML
• Save hits or add to project.

Be sure to check with your supervisors / instructors for current and discipline-specific requirements.

Instructions: EBSCO citation support

Tip: Test out the features and, if necessary, don't just simply document your sources.