Using ERIC Search

Viewing Search Results

The search results page includes not only the outcome of your search, but also displays related search information and options:

Search Information

• The number of results found
• Your search criteria
• The number of results in My Clipboard for citation management (use the "Add" link to copy records to the clipboard area)
• Search results list with search terms highlighted in yellow:
• Title, with a link to the Result Details page
• ERIC # (in parentheses after the title)
• Clipboard icon and "Add" link, for copying individual records for citation management
• Author(s)
• Publication Date
• Source - the journal citation or contributing institution
• Publication Type(s)
• Peer-Reviewed
• Descriptors
• Abstract
• Full-Text Availability

Full-text Linking Options
Whenever possible, ERIC will provide links to help users locate the full text of ERIC materials.

• ERIC Full Text - icon links directly to a PDF of the document.
• Find in a Library - through a partnership with OCLC, ERIC provides links for records with ISSNs or ISBNs to either the nearest library that lists the selected article or book among its holdings or to your local institution library.
• The presence of a Find in a Library link does not necessarily indicate that your institution holds the resource. The Find in a Library results page includes a WorldCat link in the header to find the nearest libraries holding the resource, which may be used if the item is not found at your institution.
• Depending on the IP address from which you are browsing you will navigate to either your institution's holdings or to WorldCat for a list of the nearest libraries holding the resource.
• Note: When off-campus you will be required to use your library's proxy server or campus VPN in order to be associated with your institutional library. Check your institution's Web site for proxy or VPN instructions or ask your librarian for assistance.
• Publisher's Web site - purchase the item, link to free full text, or learn about the publication via these publisher-provided links.

Other Options
ERIC provides several options for viewing your results or modifying your search:

• Search:
• "Back to Search" link to modify your search
• "Search Within Results" link to narrow your search
• "New Search" link to clear your search criteria and start a new search
• "Save this Search" link to save your search criteria in My ERIC (must be registered to use My ERIC)
• Sorting Results:
• Author - A to Z, or Z to A, by last name
• Publication Date - newest to oldest, or oldest to newest
• Source (journal citation or institution) - A to Z, or Z to A, order
• Relevance - the default sort based on the number of search terms found in a record and the uniqueness of the term in the database, with preference given to newer materials having the same relevance score
• Title - A to Z, or Z to A, sequence
• Results Per Page - default is set to display 10 results per page; you may select up to 50 results per page, in 10-result increments

Note: Some fields in an ERIC record may not contain information. This is not an error. When data exists it will be displayed for the record; otherwise N/A (Not Applicable) will be shown.