Why use Advanced Search?
Using this search mode gives you greater control over your search by allowing you to:
- Search in specific fields (title, author, subject, ISBN, etc.)
- Combine multiple search terms with Boolean operators
- Apply filters to reduce irrelevant results
- Target specific formats, languages, or date ranges
Search tips
- Type your search terms ❶.
- By default, the system uses a Boolean AND search, which means it searches for all the terms you enter. For example, searching for youth violence is interpreted the same as youth AND violence. Therefore, you don’t need to include the AND operator within a single search line, although you may do so if you prefer.
- Use truncation and wildcard symbols to expand your search to include word variants or to focus it by accounting for alternate spellings:
| Symbols |
Usage |
Example |
|
TRUNCATION
*
|
- The asterisk [*] replaces zero or more characters at the end of a search term to retrieve words with various endings.
|
connect* retrieves connect, connection, connectivity, etc.
individual* retrieves individual, individuals, individualism, individuality |
| WILDCARDS
# and ?
|
- The number sign [#] replaces a single character in or at the end of a search term.
|
photograph# retrieves photograph, photographs (but not photographer)
wom#n retrieves woman, women |
- The question mark [?] replaces 0 to 9 unknown characters in a search term.
|
lab?r retrieves labor, labour
encyclop?dia retrieves encyclopedia, encyclopaedia |
- To search for an exact phrase, enclose your search terms in quotation marks: "youth violence".
- For more controlled searching, use nesting (parentheses):
prevent* ("youth violence" OR "juvenile delinquen*").
- Select the field(s) you want to search in the Search Index box ➋. For general searches, the Keyword field is usually the most effective. Other options in the drop-down menu include Title, Author, Abstract, Subject, Source Title (which often refers to a journal title), and more.
- To add additional search terms – such as a specific author – select the appropriate operator from the Operator box ➌.
- Click the cross to add more search boxes ➍.
Filters
Check any of the three boxes to filter your search: Full text, Peer-reviewed, or Open access ➎.
Other filters include:
- Resource Type: Print book, eBook, Article, Audiobooks, and many more.
- Publication Year
- Language: English, Dutch, etc.
- Audience: Juvenile, Not juvenile
- Content type: Fiction, Non-Fiction
The section Additional tools ➏ contains WCTC Library selected. We recommend keeping the selected database. You can set how you want your results sorted (Recency, Best Match, By Date).
Other useful options include:
- Expand This Search: include related terms and/or news articles
- At My Library: view holdings for Libraries Worldwide and/or WCTC Library
