SuperSearch would only know if a result was full-text if there was some kind of flag in the metadata returned by the source database to indicate it. Since source databases do not reliably indicate full-text in this way, SuperSearch is unable to filter results in order to limit them to full-text. With some resources, such as Wiley Interscience, it isn’t possible to limit to full-text even in the native interface, and federated search engines can’t do things, which the native interface can’t do.
However, one option would be to include the phrase “Full text” in the database description where relevant, in the same way that we currently indicate, “Not cross searchable”. The user could then choose to search only databases that are majority full text. One possible disadvantage would be that, by choosing to search only full text resources, users may neglect abstracting databases or databases containing a mixture of abstracts and full-text. On the other hand, it would alert users to resources most likely to provide full text results.
The Article Linker buttons and links in both SuperSearch itself and the native interfaces will also help users navigate through to full text where it is available through any of our subscriptions, and directs them to search the catalogue for a print copy if no electronic copy is available.
