VDOT OneSearch makes subscriptions and the library's print materials searchable at the same time. Because it searches multiple business, engineering and transportation databases, we use it to accelerate a process that has traditionally required us to figure out where the best databases are, what the best search terms are, then repeating searches over and over.
Now, instead of having to go to the library catalog to look for books, then making you go to multiple subscriptions to repeat the search for articles and reports, and finally making you go to multiple public databases to find photos, videos and similar resources, you can do it all at with "one search."
Library Catalog
One handy feature of OneSearch is that it allows you to search the VDOT Library's online catalog (which contains books, reports and journals collected over 70 years to support transportation research at VDOT) at the same time you are searching selected article databases. This feature alone eludes many many libraries.
Subscription Databases
OneSearch lets you search most of VDOT's subscription databases (which index articles and papers) while searching library's catalog. OneSearch can lead you to the same content as the library's catalog, VDOT subscriptions and selected transportation indexes, but in more streamlined manner since you can use it to search up to 25 databases at on time.
Google, OneSearch and Transportation Research
As for comparisons between OneSearch and Google, there are big differences in the quantity, quality and nature of what is being searched when comparing the two.
Google was designed to allow many kinds of people to search for many kinds of information to satisfy a variety of needs.for comparisons between OneSearch and Google, we might start by pointing out that conducting a "Google Search" is not the same thing as conducting research. However, most transportation research takes place in selected transportation-focused sources, including your transportation library's catalog of print holdings, VDOT subscriptions such as the ASCE Library database, and publicly accessible transportation databases like TRID.
OneSearch was designed specifically to help VDOT employees conduct transportation research and find information relevant to VDOT.
We use Google daily, with the understanding that was never designed to provide VDOT employees access to most of the content found in of the library's subscription databases, because that content is from commercial journal, book and standards publishers and sits behind paywalls. While a Google search may lead you to useful citations here or there, it misses more than it finds when used specifically for transportation.
It is hard for busy professionals to understand what they are missing when they rely solely on Google for research.
Perhaps more importantly, most content indexed by Google has not undergone peer-review or been vetted for accuracy. In fact, some is biased, misleading or even intentionally inaccurate. That's to be expected and is not Google's fault. In contrast, subscription databases and other peer-reviewed sources contain business and engineering content that has been screened by researchers, editors, database producers, information professionals and other experts. It is scrutinized for relevancy, accuracy and its overall value to transportation research.
Every tool has it's place, so check out this FAQ on The Limitations of VDOT OneSearch, and please contact the library for questions and advice.
We are here to support you!
