Phrase Searching and Proximity

Using phrase and proximity searching is an excellent way to make your searching more precise. Some databases (such as LexisNexis Academic and EBSCOhost) assume that search words entered as phrases will be searched as exact phrases. Other databases automatically put a Boolean AND in between search terms. Google assumes an AND in between your terms without even having to type one, unless you specify the engine to force a phrase search by placing " " quotes around terms.

Either enter the phrase in quotes, i.e. "genetic engineering", or in parentheses (genetic engineering), depending on the database.

In many databases, you can specify that the words you are searching are within a certain proximity of each other.

w# = within

Specifies that the words appear in the order you type them in. Substitute the # sign with a number of words that may appear in between.

n# = near

Specifies that the words may appear in any order. Substitute # sign with a number of words that may appear in between.

Example: cloning n3 human

If you're ever in doubt whether a particular database accepts proximity operators, look at its Help pages.

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Last modified: Aug 07, 2008, 10:39 EDT