1. Example of a search on DialogWeb
Guide to Exercise 1
Example of a search on DialogWeb
Tefko Saracevic

2. We will use DialogWeb at http://www.dialogweb.com/
Dialog versions
Dialog has several versions:
Total coverage: DialogClassic; DialogWeb
both search the same stuff but in different ways
Specialized coverage: Dialog1 (“one click” search on selected databases); DialogPRO (small businesses); Dialog Select (patent and trademark information ); Dialog TradStat (world trade)
We will use DialogWeb at
but you can experiment with DialogClassic at
© Tefko Saracevic

3. Differences
Both DialogClassic & DialogWeb have exactly the same files, but:
DialogClassic is command driven, but has easy features for editing outputs
DialogWeb uses also the same commands as in DialogClassic, but for many commands it has buttons as shortcuts, so commands are entered at a click on a button. But does not have fancy editing features
Cross-reference for commands is at
© Tefko Saracevic

4. Recap of Dialog commands all can be used in DialogWeb – but some have button shortcuts
Begin (b) open a database
Select (s) enter search terms to create a set of records
Select steps (ss) enter search terms to assigns a set number to each term in a search
Type (t) display results in continuous stream
Display (d)displays records one screen at a time
Display sets (ds) show a list of all sets created during a search
AND operator finds only documents with all search terms present
OR operator  finds documents with either term
With (w) operator  finds terms next to each other in a specific order (it is a form of AND)
logoff end a session
© Tefko Saracevic

5. Basic Dialog commands
© Tefko Saracevic

6. Help sources many more in http://support. dialog
Help sources many more in Download; strongly suggested to select & print some:
Introducing DialogWeb 2.0 (14 p.)
DialogWeb Guided Search Tutorial (novices – 27 p.)
DialogWeb Command Search Tutorial (advanced – 23 p.)
Graduate Education Program (GEP) Instructional material (one stop shop)
There, download for own use 2 page GEP Student Reference Guide
Tefko Saracevic

7. Really helpful – short tutorial
Dialog: Reviewing the basics
commands, screens, basic exercises
© Tefko Saracevic

8. Step 1. Go to DialogWeb at http://www.dialogweb.com/
Step 2. Enter your ID and PW I sent you:
ps to capture screens & edit screen shots I use a software package name Snagit from TechSmith
© Tefko Saracevic

9. Step 3: selection of database
Either search for databases or enter a command (I entered command b1, meaning I want to start database 1, ERIC – see next slide)
© Tefko Saracevic

10. Step 4:
Begin 1, (meaning database ERIC) but if I clicked Databases I could have gotten to 1 by selecting further options – experiment!
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11. Step 5: looking for ERIC Bluesheet
Now I am in ERIC, but should examine its Bluesheet – gives me all information about the database, its fields, forms of outputs and more. Bluesheets are very important! Consultthem all the time! Go through this one. [A Bluesheet for a database has a lot of stuff, some for the moment is close to goobledygook. But Bluesheets will be a very important and a constantly used source of information for you throughout your searching life of Dialog. Plus they tell you a lot how databases are structured and what fields they have and what outputs are available and how to enter them]
© Tefko Saracevic

12. Step 6: examining ERIC Bluesheet
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13. Section of ERIC Bluesheet showing options for typing records in various formats
© Tefko Saracevic

14. Hint: Dialog file 415 gives you access to Bluesheets of all files (command: b 415)
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15. Step 6: Entering search terms Search for library AND students:
Back to command line: I entered s (or select) library AND students (s is a command that you MUST use when entering terms you want) & then click Submit
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16. Step 7: Results
Now I got the results. The retrieved items are in set 1 (S1). I have a choice of formats (see slide 10). Click Display, in Format Free (other formats could be selected from pull down menu)
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17. Step 7: Results – alternative using command
To type out the first ten articles in free (short) format in command line enter : t 1/6/1-10
meaning: type set 1/in format 6 (free)/ first 10 articles
general form for type command: set number/format/range of items to be typed
Different databases have different prices for various formats, so if you are paying examine first the cost for a given format. All have a free format that gives minimum information. For instance, full or number 5 means that you can get Full Record and if you are paying that means that you will pay the most for each record printed or downloaded in that format.
© Tefko Saracevic

18. Step 8
Here are the first three items retrieved. Dialog works on LIFO principle – Last In First Out, thus these are the newest ones. I chose the third one for further examination:
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19. Step 9: getting the full record
The full record for this item – you can print it, save it, copy-paste etc ... To get the full text for this article you have to note the journal and go to RUL (or any other source that has the journal) and get it. For many you can order it from Dialog at a price.
© Tefko Saracevic

20. Your exercise part one
REPEAT THIS SEARCH (select libraries AND students ) IN ERIC AND YOU DID YOUR FIRST SEARCH!
CONGRATULATION!!!
While in ERIC:
examine the Bluesheet in detail; display results; experiment with various formats. Click on various buttons and pull down menus & examine the content. Experiment.
click on Costs before you logoff. Remember that you are not paying (Dialog has an educational program free for students), but if you were a regular user, this will tell you how much did it cost to do the search.
© Tefko Saracevic

21. Your exercise part two
Begin in another file 438, Library Literature and Information Science and repeat the same search (select libraries AND students )
While in 438:
examine the Bluesheet in detail; display results; experiment with various formats. Click on various buttons and pull down menus & examine the content. Experiment.
© Tefko Saracevic

22. Your exercise part three
Do a search of your own choosing in file 1 ERIC and file 438, Library Literature and Information Science
whatever interests you
Thus, you will do four searches:
two in ERIC and two in Library Literature and Information Science.
In each file the first search will be a repeat of the one in attachment and the second one will be of your own choosing.
© Tefko Saracevic

23. Deliverables
Submit a report in the Dropbox with printouts and answers to the questions:
What was the search of your own choosing and how many items did it retrieve?
Print out three records you consider relevant in full format for both searches in ERIC (database 1). [Think as if you are delivering these results to a user].
Print out three records you consider relevant in full format for both searches in Library Literature and Information Science (database 438).
After examining Bluesheets for both databases briefly address the questions: What are the similarities and differences in the structure of their records? In any other aspects you have noticed? Include the discussion in the report. [The answers could be in bullet points]
Any comments on personal experiences and learning using Dialog?
© Tefko Saracevic