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Browsing

The evaluation documents are organised into headings and sub-headings to allow browsing of the site to find documents on particular topics. For each theme and sub-category, a list of relevant records is displayed. If there is only one relevant record, it will be displayed in full.


Searching

Standard and Boolean searches search across all the fields in the database but not in the full text of the reports

Standard Search

The simplest way to find records on a specific topic is to type a word or two into the search box, then click on the ‘Search‘ button. The search engine will then locate any records in the database containing the word or words you have entered. If you enter more than one word, only those records containing all the words will be found .

Tips:

  • In standard search it is assumed there is an ‘and’ between any terms you enter, and words such as ‘or’ and ‘not’ are ignored, as are other common words.
  • Use inverted commas to find phrases. E.g. "urban regeneration" will only find that exact phrase, whereas urban regeneration would find any records containing the words urban and regeneration, whether they are together or not.
  • Use an asterisk (*) to truncate. E.g. sustain* will search for the words sustain, sustainable, sustainability, etc.
  • If your search finds no results, check your spelling, try using different or broader terms (eg higher education instead of universities), or try browsing instead.

Boolean Search

A Boolean search allows you to use the terms ‘and’, ‘or’ and ‘not’ to conduct more complex searches. For example you can search for urban or city and the system will find records containing either of those words. ‘Not’ allows you to exclude records containing a particular word. You can use Boolean searching techniques to build up complex searches, e.g. (services or funding) and access* not education.

Tips:

  • When using 'or' it is best to use brackets round the alternative words.

Additional Options

You can filter your results by restricting searches to particular fields.

  • Title box – to limit your search to the title field
  • Consultant – to find reports by particular consultants
  • Industry – to find reports on particular industries
  • Theme(s) – to find reports on particular themes
  • Date boxes – to search for report produced by year or range of years

The ‘Clear’ button clears all the search terms and filter options you have selected. Clicking ‘Clear’ will ensure that no previously selected filters or search terms will be included in your new search.


Downloads and Accessibility

The site contains links to documents in common file formats, such as Adobe PDF and Microsoft Word. If you do not already have the appropriate software on your computer to read these documents, you may download free viewers at:

For people who have difficulties reading documents on this website the following links may be useful:


How to Change Text Size or Colours

The site is designed to let you change the text size and background colours, as well as other display settings through standard browser settings. Examples of how to do this in some of the commonly used browsers are given below.

Changing Text Size

  • Internet Explorer: click View >Text Size, and select Larger or Largest.
  • Chrome: click Customize >Zoom
  • Firefox: click View >Text Size >Increase
  • Opera: click View >Zoom >
  • Safari: click View > Make Text Bigger

Change Font/Colours

  • Internet Explorer: click Tools > Internet options >Color, then choose preferred colours and follow instructions to override page colours.
  • Firefox: click Tools >Options >Content, then change Fonts & Colours options.