The database ScienceDirect provides access to a vast amount of information on a variety of topics (including physical sciences, engineering, life sciences, health sciences, social sciences and humanities) from around the world. Learn how to use both the basic and advanced search functions to locate useful information effectively and efficiently.
Accessing ScienceDirect
Access the database ScienceDirect by typing in the following address https://my.sit.ac.nz. Enter your SIT email address and password to open the MySIT page.
Access the online databases via the library’s MySIT page, click on the Library tab in the top ribbon.
Click the Online Databases & Journals tile to open the A-Z of online databases and electronic journals.
The A – Z of databases will open in a new window. Click the ScienceDirect link in the Featured Databases box.
The ScienceDirect landing page will open in a new window.
The advanced search format on ScienceDirect looks quite different to other databases. However, it is still a great database to search for academic articles it just requires a slightly different search approach.
Creating an advanced search
None of the available fields are mandatory. You are simply required to complete at least one search bar with searchable information. Unless you are looking for a specific journal or book the library recommends using the search bars Find articles with these terms and Year(s).
The search bar Find articles with these terms allows you to use multiple keywords and use the search techniques phrase searching (quotation marks), Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) and nested searching (use of brackets).
Applying filters after a search
When the database returns the search results you can refine your search results by applying filters. The filters panel is displayed on the left side of the screen. You do not need to utilise all available filters, select the filters that are relevant for your search.
Organising the results list
By default, the results are sorted by relevance. To sort by date, click the date option.
At the bottom of the page use the display options to set how many results are displayed on each page.
Accessing articles
After running a search, you can directly open the pdf by clicking View PDF or click the title to go to the article’s detailed record.
The detailed records of some articles will have the option of HTML full text and view PDF.
Scroll down the page to view the article in HTML format or select a particular section of the article from the outline menu. Click on View PDF to view the article in PDF format. You can then save or print the article.
Reading the PDF version of the article
Within the PDF reader you can download or print the article.
When only the article's abstract is available...
When searching you will come across articles that are abstract only, meaning only the abstract is available to read.
In this situation you can request the article through interlibrary loan. Email the library (library@sit.ac.nz) the article’s title, authors, name of journal, year, volume number, issue number (if applicable) and page range.
My account is where you manage search alerts, view your search and reading history and receive recommendations. My account is accessed using your SIT login details.
Signing in to My Account
Click the My Account link in the top right corner.
Click Sign in via your organization.
In the Organization name or email section type Southern Institute of Technology and click Southern Institute of Technology from the drop-down menu.
Enter your SIT email address and click Continue.
Enter your SIT password and click Sign in.
Remember you MUST sign in to create search alerts and retain your search and reading history.
Science Direct Tutorials provide visual guides to using the database including performing an advanced search, reviewing documents and browsing journals. Click the link below to access these tutorials.