Unit 3.3 Search databases through EndNote

Databases which support the Z39.50 protocol (like the University of Adelaide Library Catalogue, Expanded Academic ASAP and PubMed) can be searched using EndNote's Connect commands and connection files. The results appear as EndNote references ready for transfer to an EndNote database.

We do not recommend searching databases through EndNote in this way because the EndNote search interface does not have the same range of search capabilities as the original database. It is better to search the original database (e.g. the Libray catalogue or PubMed), save the results and use EndNote's import function to transfer the results to EndNote. For that reason, the Library provides few connection files for its subscription databases. EndNote's own connection files will work for free databases like PubMed.

This example uses the Library catalogue.

With EndNote closed, download the connection file AUVoyager.enz from Connection to databases and save it to your EndNote Connections folder/directory.

Start EndNote. From the TOOLS Menu select CONNECT and CONNECT.
From the resulting window, choose the connection file (e.g. AUVoyager.enz) and click Connect.
At the resulting search window, enter your search terms. See Unit 1 if you need reminding about EndNote's search options.
The search is run. If there are too many hits, click Cancel and refine your search with new terms. If the number of hits suits you, click OK.
The references are downloaded.
From the Copy All References To drop box select New Library and save to a new temporary EndNote library.
Check the references in the temporary library and copy to your permanent library as you would for an imported search.

To disconnect from the University of Adelaide Library's Catalogue and close the search:

Click the Library Catalogue at Adelaide University Library window to make it active. From the FILE menu select CLOSE CONNECTION and OK.
Click the Search dialog box to make it active. From the FILE menu select CLOSE SEARCH

Firewall restrictions can cause problems when you use EndNote to connect to databases. EndNote uses the Z39.50 protocol to connect to those databases which use that protocol. Database providers use various Internet ports, but usually Internet port 210. Some firewalls will prevent you from connecting to databases on the specified port.