Database Search Tips

What to Look for

• Different databases interpret searches differently. A common variation is how databases recognize phrases.

• Some assume that words typed next to each other should be searched as phrases.

• Others automatically put a Boolean AND between your search terms, requiring that all the words be present, but not necessarily adjacent to each other.

• These searches can retrieve very different results.

Phrase Searching Tips

Most databases allow you to specify that adjacent words be searched as phrases.

• Using parentheses or quotes around search words is a common way to do phrase searching, but not all databases or search engines use them.

• Example:  "genetic engineering"

• Hint: It is often very easy to do phrase searching from the Advanced or Guided search in a database.

Proximity Operators

• Many databases allow you to specify that the words you are searching are within a certain proximity of each other.

• Proximity operators are more specific than Boolean operators and make your search more precise.

Proximity Operator Examples

Proximity operators also vary by database, but some common ones include:

w# = with

• With specifies that words appear in the order you type them in.

• Substitute the # with a number of words that may appear in between. If no number is given, then it specifies an exact phrase.

• Examples:
  genetic w engineering (searches the phrase genetic engineering)
  Hillary w2 Clinton (retrieves Hillary Clinton, Hillary Rodham Clinton, etc.)

n# = near

• Near specifies that the words may appear in any order.

• Substitute the # with a number of words that may appear in between.

• Examples:
  cloning n3 human (retrieves cloning of humans, human cloning, etc.)

Consult the database Help screens to find out how to search by phrases or to specify proximity.