reseach tools :: databases and search mechanics : page 1 : page 2

the FirstSearch screen captures are used with OCLC's permission.
FirstSearch screen trademark of OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc.

The Advanced search screen

"The Advanced Search screen lets you construct more complex searchstatements. Each search string entered in a Search for box uses asingle index. Up to three search strings in three indexes can be combinedusing Boolean operators (AND, OR, and NOT)."

Boolean operators

1. Operator "AND"

AND retrieves only records that contain all search terms. Use thisoperator to narrow or limit a search.
nepal AND holiday

2. Operator "NOT"

NOT eliminates records that include a search term or group of searchterms. Use this operator carefully to limit a search, as you mayunintentionally eliminate relevant records.
nepal NOT holiday

3. operator "OR"

OR retrieves all records that contain one or both of the search terms.Use this operator to expand a search.
nepal OR holiday

4. Plural

"To search for a word and its plural form, add a plus sign + to thesingular form. The plus + will search for any plural formed with either -sor -es. For example, giraffe+ retrieves all records that contain giraffeand giraffes."

"To search for the plural of words that change form, such as mouse orstory, search for both forms and combine them with the Boolean operator OR.For example, to retrieve mouse and its plural, search for mouse OR mice."

5. Truncation

"Truncation allows you to search for a term and its variations byentering a minimum of the first three letters of the term followed by anasterisk *. For example securit* retrieves records that contain security,securities, securitization, etc.

Note: Truncation can only be used after the third character. Also,truncation is currently set to read a limit of 50 index entries; this limitwas devised to achieve better performance by the FirstSearch system andwill result in an error message if the user enters a truncation query thatis too general."

Special features

Browsing the Index

+ Indexicon.doc ( 28672 Bytes )

Browsing the Index is a special feature presented by FirstSearch to help you

Below is an excerpt from the "Help" section written by the FirstSearch staff.

"Browse the indexes if you would like to verify the correct spellingand format for any of your search terms. To access the Browse indexesfeature, click the Index icon to the right of each drop-down index box."

Useful FirstSearch Icons

+ fsicons.doc ( 27136 Bytes )

Free Agricola from USDA

Agricola distributed by FirstSearch is licensed to OSU Valley Libraries. It is available to OSU students, staff and faculty members.However, if you are from the community or no longer affiliated with the university, you will not have distant access to the First Search Agricola.

Fortunately, USDA distributes a free version of Agricola for all usersworldwide.

+ http://agricola.nal.usda.gov/

The searching mechanism is simple