Scopus is known as a citation index because the article records include lists of citing articles. This means that, if you find an article of interest, you can look at subsequent articles that have cited it. You can find important articles on a topic, and follow research paths.

It does not necessarily contain the full-text of articles, so you might need to use the  links to get the full-text.

Scopus is a multi-subject database, but does cover the Health Sciences - medicine, dentistry, nursing, veterinary science, and the health professions - as well as the life sciences, physical sciences, and social sciences & humanities. 

CSU Library also subscribes to the Web of Science Core Collection, which is another citation index.

• The default is to Document Search, which is similar to Advanced Search in other databases. (In Scopus, the Advanced Search screen relies on using field codes.) You can add lines of search (Add Search Field).
   
• The default is to search in Title, Abstract, and Keywords. As in other databases, you can change this if you wish to specify the field searched.
   
• The default is to a keyword search so if you want to search for a phrase, enclose it in double quotation marks.
   
• In Scopus, there are some limiters that can be used as part of a search, but many more that can be applied to a set of results. In fact, you can choose to Limit to, or Exclude, certain results.
   
• The proximity operator is W/n, where n is the number of words you specify.
• You can do as much searching as you like, and return to the results later. Your previous searches appear in the Search history panel beneath the search panel. (The Search history panel appears only once you have run at least one search!)
   
• If you wish to save searches or set up search alerts, you need to register with Elsevier. Here's how:

1. At the top right of screen, click on Register.
2. Follow the instructions and prompts to register.
3. Your email address will be your username. Make sure you remember your password for future use!