DBL module: search string syntax

1. A search string includes keywords, operators, and
means of grouping. These three components
work together to define what results you will get.
“rotary steerable” AND (offshore OR deep water) AND drilling
Keywords
Operator
Grouping
Operator
Operator
Grouping
SEARCH STRING SYNTAX

2. Keyword Tip
• You can expand the number of results in your search by
using a truncation character (*)
vehic* vehicle, vehicles, vehicular
• If searching Compendex, the Autostemming feature gives you
similar results
z Avoid using a
truncation
character after a
short word that is
a root for several
diverse words
(cat* cats,
catalog,
catacomb,
catalyst…)

3. To Find All Articles
Containing:
Operator
to Use
Effect on
# of Results
EITHER Keyword A or B OR INCREASE
BOTH Keywords A and B AND DECREASE
Only Keyword A and not B NOT DECREASE
Boolean Operators in Search Strings
A B
A B
A B

4. Grouping Tips
• Use quotation marks around an exact phrase that
you want to search for; otherwise, the search
engine will search for each word in the phrase
separately with an AND operator between words.
• If your search string has multiple operators in it,
the search engine will use a set of rules to
determine which operations are performed first.
If you aren’t sure of the rules, it is better to use
parentheses to group items explicitly.
z For example:
X AND Y OR Z is
not equivalent to
X AND (Y OR Z).

5. v
When you are finished viewing this material, please
close this tab on your browser and return to the
Decision-based Learning tab.
v