Skip to Main Content

How to Search the Literature (Advanced)

This guide offers an eight step approach from identifying your topic to managing your search strategy and results

Find the Full Text Through the Interlibrary Loans Service

As a McMaster University affiliate you are able to borrow resources that are not accessible through the McMaster Libraries in print or electronic format from another library through the Interlibrary Loans Service.

There are two ways to submit your borrowing request: through the library catalogue, known as OMNI, and RACER.

Submitting an Interlibrary Loans Request

Search the library catalogue, known as OMNI, using the journal title or the title of the article. 

Steps:

  1. Access the library catalogue
  2. Type in the journal title
  3. Limit the results to McMaster’s Collection (i.e., Catalogue + Articles)
  4. If a relevant record appears in the result list then click on the Available at link to see if the McMaster Libraries have access to the journal title based the year, volume, and issue in the citation.

Another way to identify whether the article is accessible through the McMaster Libraries is to conduct a search in the library catalogue using the article title.

Steps:

  1. Access the library catalogue
  2. Type in the journal article title
  3. Limit the results to McMaster’s Collection (i.e., Catalogue + Articles)
  4. Scan the records to identify the relevant article title
  5. If a relevant record appears in the result list then click on the article title or the No Online Access link to see if it is available in print. 
  6. If the journal article is only accessible in print then you can request to Digitize Other Issues or Get it From Another Library under the Get It heading. Please ensure the form is filled out with complete citation

If the McMaster Libraries do not have access to the resource in print or electronic format then you can request a copy from another library within the catalogue.

Steps:

  1. Click on the article title or No Online Access link to submit your request.
  2. Sign In using your Mac ID or library barcode.
  3. Click on the Get it From Another Library link.
  4. An auto-populated form will appear.
  5. Select your library, e.g., Health Sciences Library
  6. Click on the Send Request link


 

Another way to obtain a copy of a resource not available through the McMaster Libraries is to submit a request through RACER.

  • You will need to create a RACER account before submitting a request.
    • You will need your Student ID card, Working at McMaster card, or intake paperwork because your RACER User ID will be your library barcode.
      • The library barcode is 14 digits long and begins with 29005

 

How to Submit an Interlibrary Loans Request via RACER

Steps:

  1. Log into your Racer account
  2. Click on the Blank Request Form link located to the left of the screen
  3. Input the citation details
    • Using the drop down menu beside Format, select Article Printed
    • Using the dials beside Service, select Scan/Copy
    • Note: the red fields are required. However, providing more details such as author, full journal title, or ISSN will provide greater assistance in locating the full text.