GCLIS: FAQ

Dear Patron

Thank you for your query.

1. Access the UWIlinC Database:

• Locate the UWIlinC portal: This is the online library catalog for the University of the West Indies. You can usually find a link to it on the main UWI library website here; https://global.uwi.edu/library
• Log in (to access full text): WIlinC requires you to log in using your UWI student or staff credentials.

2. Begin Your Search:

• Use the basic search bar: Enter relevant keywords related to "Caribbean family."
  • Examples: "Caribbean family history," "Caribbean family studies," "family in the Caribbean," "social structures in the Caribbean," "Caribbean kinship"
• Refine your search:
  • Use quotation marks: For specific phrases, such as "Caribbean family values" or "family life in the Caribbean."
  • Use Boolean operators:
    • AND: To narrow your search (e.g., "Caribbean family" AND "social change")
    • OR: To broaden your search (e.g., "Caribbean family" OR "West Indian family")
    • NOT: To exclude certain terms (e.g., "Caribbean family" NOT "animals")
• Specify search fields:
  • Keyword: Searches across most fields (title, author, subject, etc.)
  • Title: Searches only within the title of the item.
  • Author: Searches only for works by a specific author.
  • Subject: Searches for items categorized under specific subject headings.

3. Browse and Refine Results:

• Review the results: Look at the titles, authors, and brief descriptions to see if they are relevant to your research.
• Use filters:
  • Date: Limit results to a specific date range (e.g., published within the last 10 years).
  • Material type: Filter for books, articles, journals, theses, etc.
  • Availability: Filter for items available online or in the physical library collection.
• Sort results: Sort results by relevance, date, author, title, etc.

4. Access and Utilize Resources:

• View online resources: If the item is available online (e.g., an e-book or journal article), you can usually access it directly through the UWIlinC portal. 

• Find Databases with the Article:

  • Click on "Fulltext Available" in your search results.
  • This will display a list of databases that UWI subscribes to and contain the article.

• Select a Database and Access the Article:

  • Choose one of the databases from the list.
  • Click "Go" to access the database.
  • Locate the article within the database.

• View and Download:

  • Look for "HTML" or "PDF" links within the article record.
  • Click on the desired format to view or download the full-text article.
• Locate physical items: If the item is in the physical library collection, note the location and call number to find it.
• Request items: If needed, you can request items through interlibrary loan or place a hold on items that are currently checked out. Contact a librarian for further information

Tips for Effective Searching:

• Use specific keywords: The more specific your keywords, the more relevant your search results will be.
• Experiment with different search strategies: Try combining different keywords and using Boolean operators to refine your search.
• Consult library guides: UWI libraries often provide subject guides and research guides that can help you find relevant resources.
• Ask a librarian for assistance: If you are having trouble finding the information you need, don't hesitate to ask a librarian for help. They are experts in research and can provide personalized guidance.

I enclose a few Links below to get you started:

A. Search result for "Caribbean Family"

https://uwin-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/search?query=any,contains,%20caribbean%20family&vid=OPE&facet=topic,include,Caribbean&offset=0&fn=search

B. Internet Articles

- Family in Caribbean

https://edu.thecommonwealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/SOCI1002-UNIT-7_20200828.pdf?utm_source=perplexity

- Caribbean family structure

https://family.jrank.org/pages/203/Caribbean-Families-Family-Structure.html

- Beyond the nuclear: the Caribean family

https://www.historyworkshop.org.uk/family-childhood/beyond-the-nuclear-the-caribbean-family/?utm_source=perplexity

Remember:

• The specific features and functionalities of the UWIlinC database may vary slightly.
• Always refer to the UWIlinC help documentation or contact library staff for the most up-to-date information and assistance.

I hope this step-by-step guide helps you effectively search for information on Caribbean families within the UWIlinC database. 

Let us know if we answwered your query and we look forwward to hearing from you again.