Truncation allows you to retrieve different variations of the same word, and is usually available in database, systems, the world wide web, and library catalogues. If you truncate, the search will be performed on the first part of the word you enter and any number of characters following on after the truncation symbol e.g. manag* will search on managing, manager, managers, management etc. Internal truncation will help to overcome some of the problems associated with alternate spelling as you are able to enter the truncation symbol in place of the letter and retrieve other variations (Ferguson, 1993) e.g. wom*n will search on women and woman, organi*ation will search on organisation and organization.
Proximity searching
Proximity searching is used in some databases and allows the searcher to stipulate
the order in which words must appear in retrieved citations. For instance,
entering the command "fish(W)farming", stipulates that the two terms must
appear together in that order.
Proximity can also be useful when a term could be fragmented due to differences in spelling. For example, the search "CDROM OR CD(W)ROM" retrieves the different forms: CDROM, CD-ROM and CD ROM.
A proximity search can be performed for two immediately adjacent terms or for two terms that are separated by one, two or more separate words. For example:
open(w)plan(w)office
retrieves only: open
plan office
open(2w)office
retrieves: open plan
office, open space office, open office, open flexible plan office.
Proximity searching is particularly
useful when you are searching using free text, however the feature is not
available on many
databases.
Limiting by specific fields
One of the great benefits of using an electronic database is the ability to
search across most or all fields. This also means that you can limit
your search to specific fields - for example, limiting to subject or descriptor
field. Remember, some of the fields displayed will probably vary between
databases. The specific fields you limit by will be determined by the
focus of your research (and the database you are using), however language
and date of publication can be useful ways of limiting a search. Limiting
should be used with discretion as you could be excluding important research
without even evaluating whether the publication may be useful or not.
Constructing logical relationships
between keywords - boolean operators
Boolean operators (connectors) allow you to construct logical relationships
between keywords and concepts. The following examples illustrate the
various boolean operators:
(a) AND operator
Use the AND connector to connect concepts or terms where all must be present in a relevant record. This ensures that fewer records are retrieved because the search is made more specific.
storm* AND mangrove* 
(b) OR operator
Use this connector to join together key words which express the same concept (synonyms). The computer will search for records which contain at least one of the specified terms.
storm* OR cyclon* 
(c) NOT operator
This operator is used to exclude key words from a search. If we wished to only research storms, and not weather, the search statement could look like this:
storm* NOT weather 
The NOT operator should be used with extreme caution because it may eliminate relevant records that include both desired and undesired subjects. For example, an article which discussed both storm and weather would not be retrieved using this operator.
Using boolean operators
There are generally two methods used to combine Boolean statements - single or multiple line. The method(s) available to you will depend on the database you are using.
(a) Single line method
To combine your search terms, write them as a single statement. First bracket synonyms together as they represent a single concept, for example, farming or aquaculture. The different concepts are then combined using the AND operator.
(farming OR aquaculture) AND crayfish AND (environment or habitat)
This method
of combining is available in ProQuest Direct, FirstSearch, UnCover,
Infotrac, Ovid, Emerald, WebSPIRS and CQU Library catalogue (when accessed
via the WWW). You should be aware that some systems place limitations
on the total number of characters able to be included in a search (e.g. UnCover),
and others like FirstSearch, limit the number of operators which can be used
in a single line search. You will need to experiment with the database
you are using, however most systems will easily support the use of two or
three operators. In order to ensure you cover the different search combinations
possible, you may need to undertake several basic searches rather than one
or two complex searches. For instance in the above example, it may be
necessary to break the search into the following:
farming and crayfish and environment;
farming and crayfish and habitat;
aquaculture and crayfish and environment;
aquaculture and crayfish and habitat.
(b) Multiple line method
The multiple line method allows you to break down complex search statements into concept groupings or sets where key words are linked with OR or NOT, then the resulting sets combined using the AND operator:
Step 1. farming OR aquaculture
Step 2. crayfish NOT
prawns
Step 3. environment
OR habitat
Step 4. 1 AND
2 AND 3
This method
is available on Infotrac (PowerTrac), Ovid (combine) and WebSPIRS (search
history) and the CQU Library catalogue (using Telnet access).
Citation searching
Citation searching is another powerful information retrieval method.
If you have a reference to a useful article, citation searching allows you
to find where this particular article has been cited by other authors in later
articles. It helps to think of citation searching in terms of
tracking information forward in time. This allows you to identify further
research in particular areas, ascertain the opinions of others to the initial
research, and locate additional authors working in related areas. The
citation search can therefore help you trace subject relationships and the
development of a particular school of thought. The citation search can
also be useful in evaluating the contribution of a particular researcher in
the area of expertise (Katz, 1997, p207). Only three citation index
databases exist - Arts and Humanities Search (AHS), Science Citation Index
(SCI) and Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI). AHS is available via
FirstSearch, but we need to access a commercial database host (Dialog) to
search SSCI and SCI.
Bibliography
Chamis, A.Y. 1991, Vocabulary control and search strategies in online
searching. New York; Greenwood Press.
Convey, J. 1992. Online information retrieval: An introductor manual to principles and practices, 4th edn, Lo
ndon ; Library Association Pub.
Duffel, M.L.S., 1995. Constructing a Search Strategy. CINAHLnews Vol. 14 (4) p. 1-2.
Ferguson, S. 1993. Computers for Australian librarians: an introduction to systems and applications. Wagga Wagga: Centre for Information studies, CSU
Gilster, P., 1997. Digital Literacy. New York; Wiley Computer Pub.
Katz, W.A., 1997. Introduction to Reference Work, Volume II. Reference Services and Reference Processes. 7th edn. New York : McGraw-Hill
McFadden, F.R. & Hoffer, J.A., 1994, Modern database management, Redwood City, Calif. : Benjamin/Cummings, 4th edn.
Prytherch, R. 1995. Harrod's Librarians' Glossary. 8th edn. England; Gower
Rowley, J.E., 1998, The Electronic Library. London; Library Association Publishing
Tenopir, C., 1987. Searching by Controlled Vocabulary or Free Text? Library Journal, vol 112, no. 19, pp. 58-59
 |
http://www.library.cqu.edu.au/litreviewpages/searching.htm |
| Copyright & disclaimer © CQU Library 2000 |