S p e c i a l S e a r c h i n g F e a t u r e s
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S p e c i a l
S e a r c h i n g F e a t u r e s
T
here are four basic methods you can use when searching the
ZR on CD database:
·
Thesaurus Searching
·
Free-Text Searching
·
Field-Specific Searching
·
Index Searching
Once you have retrieved some records, you can also conduct a lateral search by select-
ing appropriate terms directly from the records. For detailed information on using the
SilverPlatter retrieval software, please see the appropriate section of the SilverPlatter
User's Manual.
Thesaurus Searching
Searching using the thesaurus allows you to browse the controlled vocabulary to
find the most comprehensive and relevant terms for your search. Use the thesaurus to
locate relevant terms and view their Scope Notes. The Subject and Systematic Vocabu-
laries from
ZR are placed in hierarchies and form a unified thesaurus with standardiza-
tion across all the volumes of
background about the components of the thesaurus.
Using the thesaurus, you can select broader or narrower terms that seem more relevant
or "explode" a broader search term to include all narrower terms in the hierarchy.
Exploding a term eliminates the need to enter a long list of narrower terms.
Free-Text Searching
Searching using free text retrieves records that contain the search terms in any field
except the limit fields (AN, DT, JA, LA, LR, LS, PY, SN, and UD). Use free-text searching
for any scientific organism name (which may appear in TI, DE or SY fields), geographi-
cal location or subject words. Search for subject terms in the TI, SY and DE fields for
comprehensive retrieval.
To search for terms as free text, do not include a field abbreviation. For example, to
search for predators as free text, use the search statement,
predators.
Some short words and articles like
the and an are called stopwords and are not search-
able, except as part of a hyphenated controlled phrase or journal name. In all other in-
stances, do not include stopwords in your search strategy.
Field-Specific Searching
Use the
in operator and the field abbreviation. For example, to search for predator in the
Descriptors field (DE), use the search statement
predator s in de.
You can either search for
terms in specific fields or
as free text.
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