info@mail.biosis.org · www.biosis.org
SEARCHING
Searching Fundamentals
Search Strategy Development
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ADJ retrieves records containing the search terms in the exact
order (using DataStarWeb, a space can be substituted for ADJ).
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NEXT the two terms should be within five words of each other
in the specified order.
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NEAR the two terms should be within five words of each
other in any order
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WITH retrieves terms in the same sentence in a field
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Use hyphens to search complete phrases.
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Use ..root to view an index (DataStar Classic); use a question
mark (?) after a term to view an index on DataStarWeb
Example:
..root smith.AU.
(DataStar Classic)
smith?
(DataStar Web use author field
from list)
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Use parentheses with search operators AND, OR, NOT to
achieve more relevancy.
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Truncate terms using the dollar sign ($) to find plurals and
variant spellings:
Example:
transport$ = transport
transportation
transported
transporting
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Use a dollar sign and number to truncate a maximum
number of characters:
Example:
cat$1 = cat
cats
Pose the Question
Formulate a simple statement summarizing the
information you're looking for.
Example
Find current therapeutic methods being used
to treat adenovirus hemorrhagic cystitis after
allogeneic marrow transplants.
Identify the Main Subjects
Select the key terms you will need to search.
Below is an example of a subject search.
Example
therapeutic methods or therapy
adenovirus hemorrhagic cystitis
allogeneic marrow transplant
To search for bibliographic or publication type, see the
previous page.
Determine How to Search the
Main Subjects
Use the lists of controlled terminology (Authority File)
available as DataStar File BIAF or on the DataStarWeb
search form. The controlled vocabulary is also listed on
the BIOSIS Web site (www.biosis.org/authorityfile.html) or
in the BIOSIS Search Guide which contains the Vocabulary
Guide. Use these tools in determining your search and
consider narrowing and broadening the search. Search using
natural language, considering the use of synonyms and
British/U.S. spelling, making liberal use of free text,
truncation, and abbreviations.
Examples
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(therapeut$6 method$1) or therapy
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adenovirus (hemorrhagic or haemorrhagic)
cystitis
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allogeneic marrow transplant$6
Search the three examples above in the Title (.TI.)
and Descriptor (.DE.) fields.
Use the Descriptor (.DE.) field to simultaneously search all
the BIOSIS unique indexing fields. For a definition of the
Descriptor field refer to the DataStar Datasheet available on
the DataStar website (see URL Key at the end of this card)
or consult the online help.
Carry Out the Search
Formulate the search and specify the logical relationship
of your search terms through the use of Boolean and
proximity operators (e.g., and, or, etc.). For example, to
combine the search statements in step above, type in:
Example:
1 and 2 and 3
Review Results and Modify/Refine
If Necessary
If your results contain irrelevancies, consider limiting
the search to a particular field or link terms using the
appropriate operator. Additional options to increase
retrieval include:
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Select a broader term using the controlled vocabulary
list (Authority File)
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Include synonyms and spelling variants (e.g.,
singular/plural) (Note: the DataStar Medword and
Plurals functions can help with this. Consult the
DataStar documentation for further details)
