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<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head> <title>Science.gov - Help</title> <meta charset="UTF-8"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="ie=edge"> <meta name="description" content="Science.gov is a gateway to government science information provided by U.S. Government science agencies, including research and development results."> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/styles/main.css"> <link rel="icon" href="/images/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon"> <script> function scrollToTop(){ if (document.documentElement.scrollTop > 200) { document.getElementById("backToTop").style.setProperty('right', '0px'); } else { document.getElementById("backToTop").style.setProperty('right', '-100px'); } } </script> <style> /* NAV HIGHLIGHTING */ ul.menu > li:nth-child(1) > a{ text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-color: #88bd3a; text-decoration-thickness: 3px; text-underline-offset: .25em; } main section{ margin-bottom: .5em; } main section > h2{ font-size: 1em; display: block; width: 100%; padding: 1em; background-color: #f0f0f0; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; color: #000; cursor: pointer; } main section > h2:hover{ background-color: #dfe1e2; } main section h2 span.add{ float: right; } main section h2 span.remove{ display: none; float: right; } main section h2 span.material-symbols-outlined{ font-size: 120%; line-height: 1.3em; } main section > div{ padding-left: 1em; } main section > div.hidden{ display: none !important; } main section > div.visible{ display: block !important; } main section:has(div):has(.hidden) span.add, main section:has(div):has(.visible) span.remove{ display: inline-block; } main section:has(div):has(.visible) span.add, main section:has(div):has(.hidden) span.remove{ display: none; } #accordian nav{ text-align: right; } #accordian nav a{ margin: .5em; } main h3{ font-style: italic; color: #015683; margin-bottom: 0px; font-size: 18px; } </style> <script> function toggleAccordian(e){ let div = e.parentElement.getElementsByTagName('div')[0]; if (div.classList.contains("hidden")) { div.classList.remove("hidden"); div.classList.add("visible"); } else { div.classList.add("hidden"); div.classList.remove("visible"); } } function openAll(){ let divs = document.getElementById('accordian').getElementsByTagName('div'); for (var i = 0; i < divs.length; i++) { divs[i].classList.add('visible'); divs[i].classList.remove('hidden'); } } function closeAll(){ let divs = document.getElementById('accordian').getElementsByTagName('div'); for (var i = 0; i < divs.length; i++) { divs[i].classList.add('hidden'); divs[i].classList.remove('visible'); } } </script>  <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-PL8SK8Q34R"></script> <noscript></noscript> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-PL8SK8Q34R'); </script> <noscript></noscript> </head> <body onscroll="scrollToTop()"> <noscript>Some elements on this page will not display correctly without Javascript.</noscript> <header id="top"> <div id="official-site-container"> <input id="how-you-know" type="checkbox"> <div id="official-site"> <img src="/images/us_flag.png" alt="US Flag">An official website of the United States government <label for="how-you-know">Here's how you know <span class="material-symbols-outlined expand_more">expand_more</span><span class="material-symbols-outlined expand_less">expand_less</span></label> </div> <div id="official-site-info"> <section> <img src="/images/icon-dot-gov.png" alt="dot gov icon"> <div> <div><strong>Official websites use .gov</strong></div> <div>A <strong>.gov</strong> website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.</div> </div> </section> <section> <img src="/images/icon-https.png" alt="https lock icon"> <div> <div><strong>Secure .gov websites use HTTPS</strong></div> <div>A <strong>lock ( <span class="material-symbols-outlined lock">lock</span> ) or https://</strong> means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.</div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div id="banner-container"> <h1>Science.gov</h1> <div id="logo"><a href="/index.html"><img src="/images/SciGov_logo.webp" alt="Science.gov logo"></a></div> <nav> <label for="hamburger"><span class="material-symbols-outlined menu">menu</span></label><input type="checkbox" id="hamburger"> <ul class="menu"> <li><a href="/about.html">About Science.gov <span class="material-symbols-outlined expand_more">expand_more</span><span class="material-symbols-outlined expand_less">expand_less</span></a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li><a href="/faq.html">FAQs</a></li> <li><a href="/help.html">Help</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="/Open-Science-Public-Access.html">Open Science & Public Access <span class="material-symbols-outlined expand_more">expand_more</span><span class="material-symbols-outlined expand_less">expand_less</span></a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li><a href="https://open.science.gov/" target="_blank">Open Science Announcements</a></li> <li><a href="/Public-Access-Plans-Guidance.html">Public Access Plans & Guidance</a></li> <li><a href="/Submissions-Public-Access.html">Submissions for Public Access</a></li> <li><a href="/servicesandtools.html">Services for Public Access Collections</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="/Scientific-Integrity.html">Scientific Integrity <span class="material-symbols-outlined expand_more">expand_more</span><span class="material-symbols-outlined expand_less">expand_less</span></a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li><a href="/Scientific-Integrity-Policy.html">Policies</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </header> <div id="search"> <div id="search-box"> <form id="search_form" action="https://www.science.gov/scigov/search.html" method="POST"> <input type="search" id="fullRecord" name="fullRecord" placeholder="Search for authoritative federal science information" required><button class="search-btn" type="submit"><span class="material-symbols-outlined search">search</span></button> <div id="search-link"><a href="https://www.science.gov/scigov/desktop/en/search.html">Advanced Search</a></div> <label for="fullRecord" class="accessibility">Search</label> </form> </div> </div> <main> <h2>Help</h2> <div id="accordian"> <nav><a href="#" onclick="openAll(); return false;">Open All</a> | <a href="#" onclick="closeAll(); return false;">Close All</a></nav> <section> <h2 onclick="toggleAccordian(this)" id="help_1">Search (General) <span class="material-symbols-outlined add">add</span><span class="material-symbols-outlined remove">remove</span></h2> <div class="hidden"> <p>To search Science.gov, locate the search box that appears near the top of each page throughout the site. Enter your query and click the <img src="images/search_icon.png" width="24px" alt="search icon"> icon. Your query will be sent to every individual database or source connected to Science.gov and a returned list of results will display. The results are ranked by relevance, indicated by the number of stars beneath the document title. More stars <img src="images/star_btn_sm.png" alt="star rating"> indicate greater relevance.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="images/stars_bar.png" alt="Stars for Relevance. This image shows that four out of five stars are filled in with the color blue."> </p> <p>In the results list, you may click directly to a particular result for more detailed information such as the bibliographic citation, abstract, and in many cases, the full text of the document. Host sites are also linked from each result.</p> </div> </section> <section> <h2 onclick="toggleAccordian(this)" id="help_2">Advanced Search <span class="material-symbols-outlined add">add</span><span class="material-symbols-outlined remove">remove</span></h2> <div class="hidden"> <p>Precise search results can be obtained by utilizing Science.gov's Advanced Search. Click the <a href="https://www.science.gov/scigov/desktop/en/search.html"><b>Advanced Search</b></a> link that appears in the General Search box.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <small><b>Enter search terms below then click Search.</b></small><br> <img src="images/advanced_search.png" alt="Advanced Search form. Illustration of the Advanced Search form"> </p> <p>The image above shows the Advanced Search form. Inside the blue box you can enter search terms in the "Full Record" and "Title" fields.</p> <ul> <li>The <b>Full Record</b> field searches the bibliographic record and full text of the document (if available) for a specified search term.</li> <li>The <b>Title</b> field searches for document titles with the specified search term.</li> </ul> <p>Below the blue box, you can choose which sources to query by checking the category checkboxes. Science.gov searches all available sources by default. To limit results to a single or multiple sources, remove the check from the <b>All Categories</b> option and place a check next to the desired source(s).</p> </div> </section> <section> <h2 onclick="toggleAccordian(this)" id="help_3">Format Tabs <span class="material-symbols-outlined add">add</span><span class="material-symbols-outlined remove">remove</span></h2> <div class="hidden"> <p>At the top of search results pages, you can select a tab to refine search results by format/type.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="images/format_tabs.png" alt="Format Tabs. In this illustration the tabs above the search results read: Text, Public Access, Data, and Multimedia. Selecting a tab allows you to view results by Format or Type."> </p> </div> </section> <section> <h2 onclick="toggleAccordian(this)" id="help_4">Selecting, Downloading Citations, Printing & Emailing Results <span class="material-symbols-outlined add">add</span><span class="material-symbols-outlined remove">remove</span></h2> <div class="hidden"> <p>After a search query has been submitted, a list of results is returned. Desired results can be selected and saved for later use, emailed, and printed.</p> <ul> <li>Click on the empty box next to a desired result to add it to My Library (see the Folder icon found just above the search results).<br> <b>Note:</b> The number next to the My Library (Folder) icon will increase as more articles are added. </li> <li>Click on the My Library (Folder) icon to view the list of selected articles. Articles can be removed from this list by checking them and clicking the Delete (Trashcan) icon. <div style="text-align: center;"><img src="images/library_folder.png" alt="My Library (Folder) Icon illustration. The My Library (Folder) icon is identified by the red arrow pointing to it."></div> </li> <li>Click the <b>Back to Result List</b> button to return to the search results.</li> </ul> <h3>Downloading Citations</h3> <div>Citations of selected articles can be viewed and downloaded into several reference management software packages.</div> <ul> <li>Click on the My Library (Folder) icon to view the citations and choose the download format.</li> </ul> <p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="images/reference_formats.png" alt="Reference Management Formats. Illustration showing the reference management software formats supported by Science.gov. From the top: 'RIS format,' 'Mendeley,' 'Zotero,' 'ProQuest RefWorks,' and 'EndNote Web' are listed in the image."> </p> <h3>Printing</h3> <div>A list of selected articles can be printed by clicking the Print icon.</div> <p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="images/print_icon.png" alt="Print Icon. Illustration of function icons. The Printer icon is identified by the red arrow pointing to it."> </p> <h3>Emailing</h3> <div>A list of selected articles can be emailed by clicking the Email icon.</div> <p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="images/email_icon.png" alt="Email icon. Illustration of icons that allow you to manage references returned by a search. The Email button, which is depicted by an envelope icon, is identified by the red arrow pointing to it."> </p> <ul> <li>Enter an email address, name, and optional message in the spaces provided.</li> <li>Click the <b>Send results</b> button at the bottom of the window to email results.</li> <li>An email from results@Science.gov will be delivered to the specified email address.</li> </ul> </div> </section> <section> <h2 onclick="toggleAccordian(this)" id="help_5">Search Results Sorting, Limiting, and Search Summary <span class="material-symbols-outlined add">add</span><span class="material-symbols-outlined remove">remove</span></h2> <div class="hidden"> <p>Search results can be sorted by rank, date, title or author. Results can also be limited to a desired source in the <b>All Collections</b> drop-down list.</p> <h3>Sorting</h3> <div>To sort search results:</div> <ul> <li>Click on the arrow next to the <b>Sort by</b> option to display a drop-down menu.</li> <li>Select the desired sorting option: <b>Rank</b> (default), <b>Date</b>, <b>Title</b>, or <b>Author</b>.</li> </ul> <h3>Limiting</h3> <p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="images/limiting.png" alt="Limit to All Collections. Illustration showing a drop-down arrow beside All Collections. The arrow can be clicked if the user wants to limit results to a particular Collection. Text reads, 'Limit to:' and 'All Collections (1719)'."> </p> <p>To limit results to a particular Collection:</p> <ul> <li>In the <b>Limit to</b> box, click on the arrow next to <b>All Collections</b> to display a drop-down list of collections.</li> <li>Scroll through the list of sources and select the desired option.</li> <li>Results from only the specified source will be displayed.</li> </ul> <h3>Search Summary</h3> <div>The total number of search results found is shown in Search Summary box near the top left of the results page.</div> <p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="images/search_summary.png" alt="Search Summary. Illustration of Search Summary, indicating number of top results found."> </p> <p>Science.gov provides a summary of the number of results from of each separate source. The "sources complete" information appears at the top right of the results page.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="images/sources_complete.png" alt="Sources Complete. Illustration of 'sources complete' notice. Reads '52 of 52 sources complete'."> </p> <p>Click on the link under the green bar (see image, above) to view the Search Status that shows the number of <b>Total Results Found</b> and the <b>Total Results at Source</b> from each source (see image, below).</p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="images/search_status.png" alt="Search Status. Illustration of the number of search results found at each source."> </p> <ul> <li>The green check indicates the search for that source completed successfully.<br><img src="images/green_check.jpg" alt="Green Check"></li> <li>A red X indicates the source was unresponsive.<br><img src="images/red_x.jpg" alt="Red X"></li> <li>A clock with a red X indicates the source timed out before documents were received.<br><img src="images/clock.png" alt="Clock with Red X"></li> <li>A yellow check indicates some documents were received before the source timed out.<br><img src="images/yellow_check.png" alt="Yellow Check"></li> <li>Due to the number of sources that Science.gov searches, a maximum of 100 results per source is returned. Additional results from a particular source can be obtained by searching the source directly.</li> </ul> </div> </section> <section> <h2 onclick="toggleAccordian(this)" id="help_6">User Preferences <span class="material-symbols-outlined add">add</span><span class="material-symbols-outlined remove">remove</span></h2> <div class="hidden"> <p>Science.gov allows for user-control over certain search options.</p> <ul> <li>Click User Preferences (the wrench icon) from the list of links located above the search results.<br> <img src="images/user_preferences.png" alt="Wrench Icon for User Preferences. Illustration of the WRENCH icon that represents User Preferences."> </li> <li>The Session Preferences window appears.<br> <img src="images/user_preferences_form.png" alt="User Preferences Form. Illustration of the User Preferences form that appears when the wrench icon is clicked."> </li> <li>The <b>Results per page</b> option allows you to decide how many results appear on each page, from 10 to 100. Click the arrow to display a drop-down menu and select the desired number of results to display. (Note: The default number shown is 20.)</li> <li>You can also choose: <ul> <li>how to sort results, by rank or date</li> <li>to open the linked page in a new or the same browser tab </li> <li>whether or not to display duplicate and/or unranked results</li> </ul> </li> <li>Click <b>Save</b> to apply new settings and return to the search results.</li> </ul> </div> </section> <section> <h2 onclick="toggleAccordian(this)" id="help_7">Side Bars <span class="material-symbols-outlined add">add</span><span class="material-symbols-outlined remove">remove</span></h2> <div class="hidden"> <p>Science.gov provides informative side bar options (on the left side of the results page) that include <b>Topics</b> and a <b>Visual</b> overview of search results.</p> <h3>Topics</h3> <div>You may choose to refine the search results by choosing from:</div> <ul> <li><b>Date Range Picker</b> where you can slide the buttons from the beginning or end of the time range to display results within the newly selected time range.</li> <li><b>Clusters</b> of <b>Topics</b> and <b>Authors</b> where you can select the desired term to narrow the search results, or click on "More" to see additional options in that category. Note: The examples below illustrate the removal of an author you have selected from Clusters. For example, to remove the author (shown in the first image), click on the term above it (Populations). The second image shows the author has been removed.</li> </ul> <p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="images/topics_1.png" alt="Topics. Illustration (1) of the multiple Clusters that appear after being selected from the Clusters. To remove a selected Cluster, click on the one above it."> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="images/topics_2.png" alt="Topics. Illustration (2) of the remaining Clusters after one has been removed from illustration (1), above."> </p> <h3>Visual</h3> <div>The Visual tab displays a circular graph of topics and the number of documents for those topics in the search results. Clicking on a topic in the graph will refine results by that topic.</div> <p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="images/visual_results.png" alt="Visual Results Tab. Illustration of Visual Results shows a circular graph of topics, with the number of results in each topic and subtopic."> </p> </div> </section> <section> <h2 onclick="toggleAccordian(this)" id="help_8">Alerts <span class="material-symbols-outlined add">add</span><span class="material-symbols-outlined remove">remove</span></h2> <div class="hidden"> <p>Alerts make recurring searches easier by automating the search and sending you the results on a regular basis. To receive alerts on topic(s) of interest, create a free Alerts account, specify your alert parameters, and check your email.</p> <h3>Creating an Alerts account</h3> <div>To create an Alerts account:</div> <ul> <li>After a list of results is returned, click <b>Alerts</b> (see the exclamation "!" mark icon) or <b>Sign In</b> at the top right of the page. <p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="images/alert.png" alt="Alert icon. Illustration of the Alert icon."> </p> </li> <li>Click <b>Register</b> on the Alerts login page: <p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="images/alerts_login.png" alt="Alerts Login form. Illustration of the Alerts Login form"> </p> </li> <li>Supply your user name, email address, email preference and format, and supply and confirm your password: <p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="images/create_user.png" alt="Create User Account form. Illustration of the User Account form"> </p> </li> <li>Click the <b>Create Account</b> button.</li> <li>You will receive an email from results@Science.gov requesting account confirmation. Click on the link provided to activate your account. <b>Note:</b> You cannot begin using Alerts until your account has been activated.</li> </ul> <h3>Creating an Alert</h3> <div>To create an Alert:</div> <ul> <li>Click the <b>Create</b> button on the top left panel of the Alert home page.</li> <li><b>Alert Name:</b> Enter a memorable name for your alert.</li> <li><b>Description:</b> Clarify your alert for your future reference.</li> <li><b>Alert Email Format:</b> You can choose either HTML or TEXT email format.</li> <li><b>Alert Frequency:</b> Choose how often to receive your Alert results.</li> <li>Enter your search terms into any or all of the available fields.</li> <li>Select <b>All Sources</b> or the individual sources you want to search.</li> <li>Save Alert.</li> </ul> <h3>Creating Alerts from Search Results</h3> <div>To create an Alert from search results:</div> <ul> <li>Click the <b>Create new alert from this search</b> link near the top left of the search results page.</li> <li>The information entered into the search will automatically populate the fields on the alert creation page.</li> <li>Alert parameters can be edited.</li> <li>If you have not created an Alerts account, Science.gov will remember your search information while you create and verify your new account.</li> </ul> </div> </section> <section> <h2 onclick="toggleAccordian(this)" id="help_9">Query Expressions <span class="material-symbols-outlined add">add</span><span class="material-symbols-outlined remove">remove</span></h2> <div class="hidden"> <p>In addition to simple search terms, Science.gov can conduct searches using multiple search terms, Boolean operators, exact phrases, parentheses, and wildcards.</p> <p>Note: Searches are not case-sensitive. A search for SCIENCE, Science, or science will return the same results.</p> <h3>Multiple Search Terms</h3> <ul> <li>Example: science technology</li> </ul> <h3>Boolean Operators</h3> <div>Science.gov recognizes the operators AND, OR, and NOT.</div> <ul> <li>Example: A search for science AND technology will return results on both science and technology.</li> <li>Example: A search for science OR technology will return results on either science or technology.</li> <li>Example: A search for science NOT technology will return results on science but not technology.</li> </ul> <h3>Exact Phrases</h3> <div>Phrases contained in double quotations (" ") will be searched as an exact phrase.</div> <ul> <li>Example: A search for <b>"nuclear energy"</b> will return only those results where energy immediately follows the term <b>nuclear</b>.</li> </ul> <h3>Parentheses</h3> <div>Using parentheses allows control over the order in which Boolean expressions are evaluated.</div> <ul> <li>Example: A search for <b>nuclear ((energy consumption) OR waste)</b> will return results for either <b>nuclear energy consumption</b> or <b>nuclear waste</b>.</li> <li>Example: A search for <b>((black holes) or (dark matter)) AND gravitation</b> will search for either <b>black and holes and gravitation</b> or <b>dark and matter and gravitation</b>.</li> </ul> <h3>Wildcards</h3> <div>Wildcards (* and ?) allow a search term to act as a "root" for words with different forms.</div> <ul> <li>Example: A search for <b>part*</b> will return results that include the terms <b>part</b>, <b>part</b>icle, <b>part</b>icipate, etc.</li> <li>Example: A search for <b>part?</b> will return results with only one additional character: <b>part</b>s, <b>part</b>y, etc.</li> </ul> </div> </section> <section> <h2 onclick="toggleAccordian(this)" id="help_10">Obtaining Full Text Documents in Science.gov <span class="material-symbols-outlined add">add</span><span class="material-symbols-outlined remove">remove</span></h2> <div class="hidden"> <p>Many of the sources searchable through Science.gov offer access to the full text documents referenced in their bibliographic records. Detailed information regarding full text access is available from the source websites. These sources are listed on the <b>Advanced Search</b> page. Links to these sources can also be found in the search results. Additional information regarding full text access is provided below.</p> <h3>Full Text Availability</h3> <div>Sources with full text may be indicated in several ways. Some sources have "Full Text Available" displayed in their search results citations. The search results can also be refined to display only the results with full text by selecting "All Full Text" from the Topics cluster on the left. Scroll to the "Document Format" option and select "All Full Text."</div> <p>Additionally, the results from some sources provide icons for linking to the full text. To view an electronic full text document, click on the full text icon (example, PDF icon). If there is no full text icon, go to the bibliographic record by clicking on the title for further information.</p> <h3>Unrestricted Full Text</h3> <div>Many of the sources searched by Science.gov provide free access to the full text.</div> <h3>Restricted Access to Full Text</h3> <div>A few of the Science.gov sources require that users be registered, or have specific domains, to access their full text collections. For more information, refer to the source's bibliographic records or websites for terms of access.</div> <h3>Journal Articles</h3> <div>Some of the Science.gov sources provide search results from commercial publishers. If the full text is a copyrighted journal article, book, etc., it may be available for purchase from the publisher's website. Alternatively, many institutions, universities, and corporations maintain journal subscriptions for their library patrons. Detailed information regarding access should be available from the source website or via the publisher's website.</div> <h3>Open Access Journals</h3> <div>Open Access journals are defined as journals that use a funding model that does not charge readers or their institutions for access to full text documents. You may obtain access to full text articles from Open Access journals for free.</div> <h3>Full Text Access via Interlibrary Loan</h3> <div>Some of the Science.gov sources provide access to their full text documents through interlibrary loan programs so that users can borrow books or receive photocopies or files that are owned by another library. The source websites will provide detailed information regarding the process.</div> <h3>Bibliographic-only Sources</h3> <div>Lastly, there are Science.gov sources that contain only bibliographic content. Bibliographic records from these sources will not offer full text access. It may be possible, however, to locate the full text item through another library or through a document delivery service.</div> </div> </section> </div> </main> <a id="backToTop" href="#top"> Top </a> <footer> <nav> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/sitemap.html">Site Map</a></li> <li><a href="/members/index.html">Members Only</a></li> <li><a href="/website-policies.html">Website Policies</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.energy.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy" target="_blank">Vulnerability Disclosure Program</a></li> <li><a href="/contact.html">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> <div class="small">Science.gov is maintained by the U.S. Department of Energy's <a href="https://www.osti.gov/" target="_blank">Office of Scientific and Technical Information</a>, in partnership with <a href="https://www.cendi.gov/" target="_blank">CENDI</a>.</div> </nav> </footer> </body> </html>