What are Citation Trails in CavsSEARCH and how do they work?
Answer
The citation trails in CavsSEARCH (Primo VE) search results are a powerful research feature that help you explore how a resource is connected to other scholarly works.
These trails typically link to items that either cite the resource or are cited by it, allowing you to follow the scholarly conversation across time and disciplines.
For undergraduate students, citation trails can:
- Jumpstart your research – One useful article can lead to many more.
- Save time – Quickly uncover related sources without starting a new search.
- Provide context – Understand how your topic fits into the broader academic landscape.
For graduate students, citation trails are especially valuable for:
- Conducting literature reviews – Trace the development of key theories and methodologies.
- Identifying research gaps – Spot areas that are underexplored or emerging.
- Strengthening your thesis or dissertation – Build a well-supported argument using influential and current sources.
The citation data behind these trails is drawn from trusted academic databases like Web of Science and Scopus. This ensures that the connections you explore are reliable, scholarly, and up to date.
In summary, citation trails in CavsSEARCH help you:
- Discover related research
- Evaluate the impact of scholarly works
- Build a stronger, more credible bibliography
Whether you're writing your first research paper or working on a graduate thesis, citation trails can significantly enhance the depth, quality, and efficiency of your academic work.