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Guidance on using the Archive Electronic Repository

If you would like to familiarise yourself with the repository search facilities, please explore the guidance below.

Please note, where the precise day of origin for archival materials is unknown, the repository will record the day as 1st of the specified month. Where the precise day and month of origin for archival materials is unknown, the repository will record the date as January 1st. This is to provide a standardised placeholder for cataloging and retrieval purposes. This practice ensures consistency in the repository and facilitates future research, while acknowledging the limitations of the available information.

How To Browse:

The Centre for Disability Studies Archive Advisory Board established a search facility to assist you with discovering the materials in the Archive. This guide will outline how to navigate this repository and effectively use the search and filter tools to explore with precision.
Moving Around the Library

Think of the electronic repository like a digital filing cabinet. It contains folders and files, just like an offline one. Here is how to move around:

  • Navigating Folders and Files: There will be a list of items when you first enter the library. These will comprise of files and folders. Folders help group related materials, such as chapters from a specific book. To open a file or folder and explore its contents, click on the item name.

  • Moving Back: If you have opened a folder and want to go back to the previous view, identify the "Back" button (often an arrow pointing left) in your browser or within the SharePoint interface itself. You might also find a breadcrumb trail at the top of the page, showing the path you have taken (for example, Home > Folder > File List). You can click on any part of this trail to jump back to that level.

Finding Specific Items: Using Search

[NEED TO UPDATE INSTRUCTIONS AFTER SEARCH FACILITY IS BUILT]
The search bar is used when you want to find a specific item or collection. It allows you to quickly find items based on keywords within their titles, content, or other descriptions.

  • Locating the Search Bar: The search bar is usually located at the top of the SharePoint library page. It might say "Search this library..." or have a magnifying glass icon.

  • Entering Your Keywords: Type the word or phrase you're looking for into the search bar. For example, if you're researching "disability activism in Europe," you can type those words.

Refining Your Search (Optional):

  • Exact Phrases: To search for an exact phrase, put quotation marks around your keywords (for example, "inclusive education"). This will only show results that contain that exact sequence of words.

  • Using "AND" and "OR": You can combine keywords using "AND" (to find items containing both words) or "OR" (to find items containing either word). For example, "disability AND global warming" or "policy OR regulation". Please type "AND" and "OR" in all capital letters.

  • Wildcards: You can use an asterisk (*) as a wildcard to match any characters. For example, "histor*" might find "history," "historical," or “historian.”

Viewing Search Results:

  • After you press "Enter" or click the search icon, a list of results will appear. Each result will usually show the title of the item, and sometimes a brief preview or other relevant information.

  • Navigating Search Results: If there are many results, they might be spread across multiple pages. Look for page numbers or "Next" and "Previous" buttons to navigate through them.

Narrowing Your Focus: Using Filters

[NEED TO UPDATE INSTRUCTIONS AFTER SEARCH FACILITY IS BUILT]
Filters allow you to narrow down the items you are exploring based on specific criteria, such as the Collections Type, Author/Contributor, Date, or Keywords/Content Tag. This is helpful when you want to explore a specific category of materials.

  • Finding the Filter Pane: The filter options are usually located on the side of the SharePoint library page, often under a heading like "Filter by" or by clicking a funnel icon. It is also possible to choose a filter by selecting the category heading in the electronic repository; for example, “Notable Figures/Organisations”.

  • Understanding Filter Categories: You will find different categories listed (for example, "Collections Type", "Author/Contributor", "Date”, "Keywords/Content Tags"). These categories correspond to information associated with the files in the library.

Applying Filters:

  • Expanding Categories: Click on a category to see the specific options available within it. For example, under "Collections Type," you might identify options like "Book", "Text", or "Video".

  • Selecting Options: To apply a filter, check the box next to the option you want. You can select multiple options within a category (for example, both "Text" and "Video").

  • Exploring Filtered Results: The library will automatically update to show only the items that match your selected filters.

  • Clearing Filters: To remove a filter and find more results, you can uncheck the box next to the selected option. Identify a "Clear all filters" or "Reset filters" button, usually located at the top of the filter pane.

Combining Search and Filters:

  • For the most effective searching, you can combine keywords with filters. First, perform a general search using keywords. Then, use the filter options on the left to narrow down the results based on specific criteria. This can help you pinpoint exactly what you need much faster.

If you have any further questions or encounter any issues, please contact the Centre for Disability Studies Archive Advisory Board.