Current and Completed Research Projects Database (CCRPD)

Advanced Search

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Current and Completed Research Project Database

Introduction• Nexus home-page• Scope of databases• Benefits of the Current and Completed Research

Project Database (CCRPD)• Search interfaces• Navigation• Basic search interface

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Nexus home-page

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Scope of databases

• Current and Completed Research Projects– This database includes South African dissertations and theses. It

provides information on all fields of science since 1919. English titles are given for projects not in English. It also includes abstracts. A limited number of records contains links to the full-text.

• NRF Funded Projects– It contains NRF Funded Projects since 2000. This database contributes

to knowledge generation for the support and promotion of research development. Forthcoming Conferences – databases

• Forthcoming Conferences – databases– It facilitates access to 10 international databases that announce

forthcoming conferences.

• Professional Associations in South Africa– This database facilitates access to South African Professional

Associations.

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Benefits of the CCRPD

• Facilitate access to bibliographic information on grey literature e.g. dissertations, theses and research projects

• Assist students with the– Identification of gaps in a research field– Consultation of similar studies to assist with research methodology– Identification of recommended research included in the theses or

dissertations that provides opportunities for further investigations– Evaluation and analysis of completed studies in order to arrive at new

solutions, policies, etc. (Literature reviews)

• Provide information to identify experts in a specific field of study• Stimulate research in neglected areas• Encourage networking and collaboration between researchers• Facilitate research capacity development• Facilitate informed decision making and strategic management

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Search interfaces

• Basic– It facilitates a quick method of searching with the use of indexes. Click on the

HELP Button of the search screen to obtain detailed assistance on how to use the basic search screen.

• Advanced– The Advanced Search facilitates searching according to various fields including

the defining of relationships between terms and phrases using Boolean and/or Proximity operators. The list box in front of each entry box allows you to select the search field in to which you would like to execute the search you have entered in the entry box. You are given three entry boxes in which to enter your search terms which you may combine with appropriate Boolean and/or Proximity operators.Click on the HELP Button of the Advanced search screen for assistance on how to use the interface.

• Professional – It is a command driven search interface. You can build your search line by line.

Once you have built up your search, you can combine search lines with Boolean operators as illustrated in the saved search "NEXUS example 1". Click on the Recall Search Button and select NEXUS example 1 and click on the OK button.

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Navigation

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1. Nexus databases

2. Navigation options within a specific database

3. Actions

• Click on Search and Display to execute your search and display the records retrieved

•Click on Update Hit Count to execute your search and review the results at the bottom of the screen

•By clicking on the New Search Button the system’s memory will be cleared of previous search results.

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Advanced Search Interface

• How to enter a search• Search fields• Boolean and Proximity operators• Examples• Hit Count• Maximum number of records to display• Display search results• Report formats• Limit your search• Custom search• Use of indexes

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Advanced Search Screen

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Search fields

Boolean operator ADJ

Field names

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Boolean operators

Two search lines combined with OR operator

Boolean operators list box

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Boolean operators

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Proximity operators

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Example 1

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Example 2

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Example 3

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Hit Count

• Your search results are displayed at this point by clicking on Update Hit Count in the action navigation line after you have entered your terms

• It will facilitate the refinement of your search strategy before displaying the search results

• You may also directly click on Search and Display action after you have entered your search topic.

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Display search results

Display

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Display search results

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Display search results

View specific record

Click on title

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E-mail search results

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Report formats

The system provides the following reports: • Short report format • Full report format • More report – click on title (hyperlinks)• Print friendly report • E-mail report in plain text (ascii format) or html or pdf

format

It is important to select the records before you use the e-mail facility

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Limit your search

• Status of projects– All– Current– Completed

• Current projects: Year from• Completed projects: Year from• Subject codes

– To limit a topic to a specific broad field, e.g. psychology, legal aspects, medical aspects

• Research categories– All– Masters studies– Doctoral studies– Non-degree research projects

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Example 4

• Doctoral studies on “Transformation” at UNISA during 1994 until 2007 in the field of management.

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Example 5

• Energy studies completed from 2000 until 2005

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Example 6

Masters study completed by “Sithole”

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Custom search

• This search line allows “command driven searching” by field names.

• Click on HELP next to search line to access the names of the fields and an example

• The INDEX next to the entry box facilitates browsing, selection and display of records within a particular index.

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Custom search – Example

Field names

Boolean operator

Limited by Years

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List of Institution Codes

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Example 7

All projects from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology

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List of Subject Codes

Click on “Agriculture” for sub-categories

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List of Subject Codes

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Searching by Subject Codes

• All “agriculture” research

NB! *

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Searching by Subject Codes

• All “agricultural engineering” projects

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Help facilities

• General Help on each screen• Context sensitive Help in front of search lines

General HELP

Context sensitive HELP

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Use of indexes

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Thank you

• http://www.nrf.ac.za/nexus• nexus@nrf.ac.za