Advanced search techniques

Boolean operators, AND OR, along with truncation symbols, are the key elements needed to develop a basic search strategy. Sometimes, however, additional techniques are required for a more focused search, especially when searching in full-text databases. Below are some additional search techniques that you may find useful in locating relevant information

IMPORTANT NOTE: Not all search tools use advanced search features. Always check the Help menu to check what search features are available.

Phrase searching

Phrase searching allows you to search for words in the exact order as typed. This allows you to retrieve more precise results, particularly if you are searching with common terms or phrases that use stop words (a, the, and, or, not, it, is etc). Most search tools require you to use quotation marks or brackets.

Examples:

“attention deficit disorder”
“high court”
“war and peace”
“gone with the wind”

Proximity Searching

Proximity operators are used to search for keywords near each other in a document. This works under the assumption that the closer two words are to each other, the more likely they are to be related. Proximity operators vary between search tools and can often look for your keywords within a specified number of words apart.

For example:

computer W/3 software

Searches for the keyword “computer” within three words of the keyword “software”

Boolean operator: NOT

The NOT operator excludes keywords from a search. In the example below, the search results will only include those that don’t include the keyword “infants”.

children NOT infants

Important Note: The NOT operator should be used with caution as you may unintentionally exclude relevant material that discusses both children AND infants.

Completing your search strategy