Search for journal articles using NaviGatePlus - Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a user guide or help?

Yes, basic and advanced userguides (PDF) are available for NaviGatePlus. There is also a help option within NaviGatePlus.

Which browser should I use?

The browser recommended for NaviGatePlus is IE (Microsoft Internet Explorer), version 6 or higher.

What is NaviGatePlus?

NaviGatePlus is the search interface for the many databases to which the Library subscribes. It allows you to search up to fifteen databases/resources simultaneously and links you through to full-text information where it is available. NaviGatePlus also allows you to select your favourite resources, save searches and records and set up e-mail alerts.

I clicked on the search button and nothing happened. Why?

Before you can perform a search, you must first select some resources/databases to search in. To select these, tick the boxes to the left of the database name, enter search terms and click on 'go'.

What truncation symbol is used?

The question mark (?) symbol is used for truncation. Other truncation symbols may appear to work, depending on the resources selected; however, you will not receive complete or accurate search results unless you use the ? symbol. You will only return results using truncation if the database you are searching supports truncation.

Why aren't all resources included in NaviGatePlus?

Not all databases comply with the technology of NaviGatePlus to enable users to cross search multiple databases at the same time. As this technology is becoming establlished more publishers are to complying and UB Library will be adding these databases as they become available. In the meantime, these non-compliant databases can be used in a 'native interface' via the A-Z listing under the "Find journals and databases" tab on the library home page.

Why did my search return zero hits for a database?

There could be a number of reasons why this could occur:

• The database has no records matching your search.
• The database did not return results quickly enough and the search was terminated by NaviGatePlus. In this case you could search the database again via NaviGatePlus or you could search in the database's regular interface.
• You used truncation and the database does not support this, see notes above.

What does a missing line error mean?

At the moment we have experienced this problem occasionally with off campus access and there are no known reasons as to why this is occuring. The problem is being investigated by the software vendor.

What is eJournals A-Z?

Currently eJournals A-Z links to our EBSCO A-Z eJournal service. This service allows you to search the EBSCO database to see if we have a subscription to a particular journal you might be looking for. If we subscribe to the title it will give you details of which database the title is in and will provide you with a link to the title.

What is SFX?

SFX allows you to link from a citation in a database within NaviGatePlus to a list of services available for that item. Click on the SFX button to access some of the following options:

• view the full-text of an article
• check the library catalogue to see if the item is held at UB
• search the Web for the title of an article
• request help from 'Ask a librarian'
• request document via Document Delivery.

Why do the SFX menu options change?

When you click on the SFX icon beside a search result the SFX menu will appear to indicate what services are available for that item. Only those services which are available for your item will be displayed.

Why didn't I get a full-text link for my article?

There are a number of reasons why a full-text link to your article does not appear, including:

• There is no full-text version available, either for that journal or for specific volumes (i.e. older issues) of that title.
• UB Library does not hold a subscription to that title in electronic format.
• Some publishers place an embargo on journal titles so the most recent issues (i.e. twelve months or more) may not be available for viewing.
• Newly published works may not have been placed in aggregated electronic databases and may require a few weeks to appear.
• The database might not be sending SFX the correct information it needs to find the article. You might experience this problem with some newspaper and Informit databases.

I clicked on the full-text of an article but it took me to the home page of the journal/publisher. Why?

SFX allows you to get as close as it can to the full-text of an article but in some cases, due to the way publishers provide access, you might need to follow further links within publisher pages to access the article. In some cases you might be required to search agian within the publishers pages.

Why do I have problems using NaviGatePlus from home or my workplace?

Firewalls tend to cause problems for some people accessing NaviGatePlus from home or the workplace. Check to see that you have enabled access to port 8331 (Metalib) and port 9003 (SFX).

* Documents stored as PDF files can be viewed by downloading Adobe Reader

• Search individual databases


• Search for journal articles using NaviGatePlus


• NaviGatePlus (basic) guide*
  (PDF , 493 KB)


• NaviGatePlus (advanced) guide*
  (PDF , 493 KB)


• NaviGatePlus FAQ


• Accessing UB internal webpages and databases from an external location