This article describes the abstract search features available in myResearch Portal.

The Abstract Search function allows a researcher to search abstracts in the IAF system. Both the IAF title and the abstract as stored in the IAF may be searched. A Basic Search, good for quick searches, and an Advanced Search, better for refining a search, are available.

If a user of MyResearch Portal does not have access to Abstract Search (see Abstract Search Access), the MyResearch menu will not offer Abstract Search as a menu item.

Basic Search

In the Basic Search screen, brief instructions are provided. A single search string may be entered. After entering your search string, and selecting what to search (just the title, just the abstract text, or both title and full text) click the "Search" icon  to begin retrieving abstracts. Retrieved abstracts are presented in a separate browser tab.

Advanced Search

In the Advanced Search tab, up to four search strings may be entered. After all the search words are entered, and the search targets (just the title, just the abstract text, or both title and full text) have been chosen , click "Execute Advanced Search" to begin retrieving abstracts. Retrieved abstracts are presented in a separate browser tab.

How the Search String Fields are used in Advanced Abstract Search

The search results will follow this process (we define a "word" as any sequence of characters not containing a space; multiple words may be entered in any input box, separated by a space):

1. Retrieve all results containing any individual word entered in "Any of These"
2. Add to the above results, the results of searching for the multiple-word phrase entered in "This exact phrase"
3. Remove from the above results, any result which does not include all the words in "All of these". Add any new results which do include all the words in "All of these"
4. Remove from the above results, any result that includes any word in "None of these"

Abstract Search Access

Results display from an Abstract Search is determined by the role of the user requesting the search.

Full Access – User with a role in the IAF system of VP for Research, College Dean, Research Dean, Department Head, Department Research Administrator, Authorized Organizational Representative or has “abstract” indicated in SIMSreports user profile.

Users with Full access to Abstract Search will see results for Awards and Proposals, including the full text of the abstracts for all results. 

Partial Access – User with either (1) a role in the IAF system that is not one of the above mentioned for ‘Full’, or (2) who has a Conflict of Interest disclosure entered in  (COINS). Most Faculty members have Partial access, as a COINS disclosure is required for any named personnel who is included on a research proposals in the IAF system.

Users with Partial access to Abstract Search will see results for Awards and Proposals, including the full text of abstracts for Awards, but only the abstract title for Proposals.

No Access – User without a role in the IAF system, without a COINS disclosure, and without a SIMSreports profile that includes ‘abstract’.

User with No access will not see the Abstract Search function in MyResearch Portal.

Search Results

When the abstract search is complete, a "results" browser tab is opened, displaying a copy of the search parameters page,  with search results shown below.

On the Results screen, a new search may be conducted by changing the search strings, search option, or by switching between Basic and Advanced search.

Results are shown in a table below the search parameters. Results may be sorted by clicking column headers, and exported to an Excel file by clicking the Excel icon in the top menu bar. The Principal Investigator name is linked to their email; clicking the name will open a new email from you to the PI.

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