Searching
Fundamentals
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AND retrieves records containing all the search
terms in the same record.
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OR retrieves records containing any of the search
terms in the same record.
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NOT excludes records containing certain search terms.
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Nest terms in parentheses ( ) to specify the order in
which the terms are to be combined.
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Enclose an exact phrase in quotes (").
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Use the proximity operator "w" (with) followed by a
number to retrieve records containing both terms in
the order typed.
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Use the proximity operator "n" (near) followed by a
number to retrieve records containing both terms in
any order typed.
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Use truncation to find a term and its variants by
entering the root of a search term and replacing the
ending with an asterisk (*).
Example:
therap*
=
therapeutic(s)
therapy
therapeutically
therapsid
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Use a wildcard when unsure of the spelling or when
only part of a term is known. The question mark (?)
represents a single character and can be used within
a word. Replace each unknown character with a (?).
Example:
sulfuri?ation
=
sulfurization
sulfurisation
col?r
=
color, but not colour
col??r
=
colour, colder, collar
but not color
Click for complete details on plurals, truncation,
proximity, Boolean operators, and wildcards.
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Search Strategy Development
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SEARCHING
info@biosis.org · www.biosis.org
Pose the Question
Formulate a simple statement summarizing the
specific information needed.
Example:
Find the current therapeutic methods for the detection
and treatment of Lymes Disease.
Identify the Main Subjects
Select the key terms or main subjects to search.
Example:
Therapy or therapeutic methods
Lyme or Lymes Disease
Determine How to Search the
Main Subjects
Three different search options are available from
the Search Window. Select the type of search by
clicking the selected option from the Search
Toolbar located at the top of the screen. Click
for a detailed description of how to begin
your search.
Basic Search
To perform a keyword or Boolean search, select the
Basic Search
option. For further information
click .
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Type one or more terms in the "Find" box. Enclose
an exact phrase in quotes. Use parentheses to
control the exact order in which terms are to be
searched.
