OVID Telnet
Quick Guide
NOTE: ^ symbol means hold down the Control or
ctrl key and
the highlighted letter of any command listed on the screen.
Also NOTE: Connecting to the Library's databases via telnet will not
allow you to view the graphical images accompanying the complete full-text
articles in the Core Biomedical Collection (CBC) database. Graphics may
only be viewed by using the Windows client or a Web browser (e.g. Netscape
or Internet Explorer).
Before Starting
The mouse and numeric keypad keys do not work in the telnet interface
to OVID databases.
If you are using a workstation in the Library, go to To
Get Started At Library Workstations instructions.
If you are using a workstation outside the Library, remote access instructions
are available in the Library and on the WWW: http://www.medlib.iupui.edu/ref/medlaccess.html.
Once you are connected to the Library's server, continue with the section labeled
System News Screen.
To Get Started At Library Workstations
To display the menu screen press Enter.
Type 1 or 2 , then press Enter. For 2 enter
Social Security Number (no hyphens or spaces), press Enter, type
y, then press Enter again.
System News Screen
This screen alerts you to changes or problems. Use the arrow keys
to read additional text. Press Enter to proceed.
Databases
Use the arrow keys to select a database, then press Enter.
Searching
Searching by Subject Heading
Type the word or phrase to be searched at flashing cursor, then press Enter.
Mapping
If the next screen says Mapping, and a single suitable term appears,
use the arrow keys to highlight the term to be searched, then press
Enter. Or if multiple terms are suitable, highlight the term highest
in the list that is acceptable and press ^E to include all of the
narrower terms.
and/or
Broader and Narrower Subject Headings
If the next screen says Broader and Narrower Subject Headings, at the top, you
will see your subject listed with related terms. You may continue with the original
term by pressing Enter, change to a different term by double-clicking on it, or
if more than one term is of interest, click on the highest term in the list that is
acceptable, then click on Explode to include all of the narrower terms.
OR
If no suitable term appears on next screen, change to a Textword
search by pressing ^T. (If ^T is not a choice at bottom of
screen, press Escape, then choose ^R from main screen and
re-enter the term(s) to be searched.
Restricting to Focus
Choose all documents discussing that subject or restrict to focus
(where the subject is one of the primary topics). Use the arrow keys to
highlight your choice, then press Enter.
Subheadings
Subheadings let you find articles on specific aspects of your topic. You
may include all subheadings by pressing Enter, or you may
select one or more subheadings by using the arrow keys to move the
cursor to each desired term, then pressing the spacebar to highlight
the term. Press Enter when finished selecting subheadings.
Searching by Textword (Keyword)
Press ^R.
Type the word or phrase to be searched, then press Enter.
Author Searching
Press ^U.
Type the author's last name, followed by a space (no comma), and first initial
(if known), then press Enter.
Mark the name(s) to be searched with the arrow keys and spacebar,
then press Enter.
Other Types of Searching
Other kinds of searching may be done by pressing ^A to pull down the
Search menu at the top of the screen, then using the arrow keys
to highlight Individual Fields and pressing Enter. Highlight the
desired type of search and press Enter, type the term or name to be searched in
the box, then click on OK. You may also type the two letter code for the kind
of search, offset by a period on each side, at the end of a search statement
(e.g. jama.jn. for a journal name search). A list of the codes is available on the WWW:
http://www.medlib.iupui.edu/ref/ovidfields.html.
Additional search tips are available in the library and on the WWW:
http://www.medlib.iupui.edu/ref/ovidtips.html.
Combining Sets
Once at least two sets have been created, press ^N to decrease or
increase your retrieval. Select the sets to be combined by using the arrow
keys and spacebar. Select AND to narrow your search
(all search terms must be included in each article); use OR to expand
your search (at least on of the search terms will appear in each article).
Limiting a Search
Press ^G.
Highlight the set to be limited with the arrow keys, then press Enter.
Highlight the desired limit, then press Enter.
Select only one limit at a time. Each new limit is applied to
the previous set.
Displaying a Set
Press ^K.
Highlight set to be viewed with the arrow keys and spacebar,
then press Enter.
To view records in a shorter format, press ^T. To return to longer
the format, press ^D.
To go to the next record, press ^N. To return to the previous record,
press ^P. Save records for printing or downloading by pressing
the spacebar. Press the spacebar again to deselect a record.
When finished viewing, press ^L to return to the main search screen.
Printing/Downloading
See the separate Telnet
Printing/Downloading guide for instructions.
Changing Databases
Press ^D.
Press Enter to repeat the same search in the new database or Escape
to start a new search.
Select the desired database with the arrow keys, then press Enter.
No Results? Not all databases use the same terminology, try related terms.
Ending Your Search Session
From the main search screen, press ^X. When the message You are
about to exit OVID appears, press Enter.
Need More Help?
Training
To obtain handouts, register for a class,
or for more information:
Reference Department
(317) 274-7185 Voice
(317) 274-4056 FAX
e-mail to:medlref@iupui.edu
or Register Online
OVID Telnet Quick Guide / Sue London / slondon@iupui.edu
/ Ruth Lilly Medical Library / Indiana University School of Medicine
URL http://www.medlib.iupui.edu/ref/tlntqk.html