Guide: Seeker

The search box on the library’s homepage is your gateway to a wide range of resources. Here you’ll find an overview of what Seeker can do and answers to common questions.

What Can You Find with Seeker?

Seeker lets you search the library’s collection of books and e-books, as well as a large variety of other academic material: scholarly articles, theses, reports, conference papers, and more.

Seeker is a great starting point when you want to explore a subject area, but searching in discipline-specific databases often gives more precise results. If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to ask library staff for help.

Tip! You find other databases through the database list or in our subject guides.

Searching and Common Filters

Filters can help you to quickly narrow down your results to what is most relevant for your assignment. Once you’re in the search interface you’ll see some of the most useful filters directly under the search box.

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  • Full Text limits results to material the library provides full-text access to.
  • Available in Library Collection shows items that the library have access to, either digitally or in print.
  • Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) Journals restricts results to publications from peer reivewed journals.
  • All dates lets you set the years or dates you want to focus your search on.

After you run a search, you’ll find even more filters under All Filters.

Tip! The search service is provided by EBSCO. For more practical tips on how to search, we recommend their Quick Start Guide.

Natural Language Search

If you activate the AI-powered Natural Language Search feature, you can search using full questions or everyday language. After searching, you can click Show Refined Query to see which search terms were used. This can be helpful when you’re unsure which keywords to use.

Tip! You find more on how AI can help you with the search process on our page Information Searching and AI. Remember that you are always responsible for finding out which rules apply to the use of AI in your specific course and for the assignment you are working on.

Log In for More Features

When you’re in the search interface, you can sign in to MyEBSCO. You do not need to log in to search, but signing in lets you save searches and publications. You can also set up alerts for searches or journals.

The login is located in the upper-right corner. The first time you log in, you need to create a new account; you cannot use your university login.

Read more about how to create an account.

Tip! Do you already have an EBSCO account? From 19 February, you can merge your accounts for the EBSCO databases and Seeker, allowing you to keep everything you’ve saved in one single place. Instructions can be found here: How to Merge Personal User Accounts.

Change language

You can choose the interface language in the upper-right corner.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Seeker search “everything”?
No. Seeker searches the library catalog, many subscribed databases, and some open access resources. It doesn’t cover all the databases the library has access to.

Why do I see articles I can’t immediately access?
Seeker may show items that the library doesn’t have digital full-text access for. In many cases you can request them, or ask the library for help obtaining them.

Is Seeker the same as Google or Google Scholar?
No. Seeker is not a web search engine. It is designed for university-level studies and shows material that the library provides access to or can help you obtain.

When should I use other databases?
For larger projects or subject-specific searches, discipline-focused databases usually deliver more targeted results.

Can I get help with searching?
Yes! The library can help you with developing search strategies, finding relevant databases, refining searches, and managing references.

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Related information

Databases A-Z. Databases you have access to as a student or staff member at the university.

Subject guides. The library's recommendations for databases within different subject areas.

Guide: Search in databases. Tips and strategies for searching in scientific databases.

Information searching and AI. Learn how AI can be used as a tool when searching for academic literature

Support material from EBSCO

Introduction to the search tool. A four-minute video that covers the basics.

Quick Start Guide. A collection of step-by-step instructions.

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