This document provides an overview of advanced search basics and strategies for searching ProQuest Newsstand, Google, and Factiva. It discusses using keywords, controlled vocabularies, Boolean operators, truncation, phrase searching and proximity operators to refine searches. The document also provides examples of effective search techniques for each database.

1. Advanced Search Basics:
Conducting basic searches using
ProQuest Newsstand, Google and
Factiva
Katie Thompson
SJSU-SLIS, Fall 2012
LIBR 244 – Online Searching
Training Packet

2. Key Terms

Truncation

Controlled 
Fields
Vocabulary

Ability to 
Restricting
retrieve

Use terms already results to
found in the database
different word specific fields
endings, same 
Helpful for
root word: discovering synonyms, 
IE: subject,
broad and specific title, author,
terms, based on the

IE: nurs* need. publication,
retrieves type
nurses, nursing,

Pearl
nurse Growing

Lawn 
An easy way to

Building
Mowing retrieve similar
documents by Blocks
looking at what has

Starting out already been

Listing terms by
broad and retrieved, “AND”-ing them,
narrowing down modifying the then narrowing
results by search based on key down the
modifying your terms seen in other concepts based
results.
search terms. on results

Requires multiple retrieved.
iterations...

3. How to Plan Your Search

Searching doesn't have to be hard,
it just requires planning and using
the right tools...
− Evaluate the question...what
resource would be most
appropriate?
− What keywords should I search?
− Are there multiple concepts in the
reference question? If so, break
them down to the key terms most
applicable.

Also, are there synonyms for the
terms used? Be sure to think about
how the database you're using will
break down the query.

4. Your Search Tool Belt

Boolean Operators:
− AND OR NOT
− Used to connect or distinguish
terms

Grammy AND Adele

Adele NOT Grammy

Proximity Operators:
− Varies by database or search
engine
− Used to locate terms within a
proximity of words

IE: Grammy NEAR/5 Adele would
retrieve documents with Grammy

5. Formulating Your Search

Now that you 
Would a simple
have identified Google search
your key terms, find you the
think about quickest
tools to use to results?
maximize your 
Are those
results, results adequate
remembering that for the
the first query question?
will not always
be the best... 
Would a
reference
database provide
“better” info?

6. ProQuest Newsstand

Search Salt Lake 
Salt Lake
Tribune, Deseret Tribune – from
News and other 1990
local and major 
Deseret News –
newspapers. from 2003

7. ProQuest Newsstand

Useful Components:
− Vast newspaper archive, including
local publications
− Obituaries section with simple
search form

8. Google Advanced Skills

How to Search: Good Things To Know
− Quotes are best used for proper
nouns, phrases or famous quotes,
book titles, and lists

“To be or not to be”, “Rock and
Roll Heaven”
− AND OR

Quotes around proper nouns or
phrases is equivalent to placing
AND or + between words

OR assists in retrieving results
that contain each or all words
− Bicycle OR cycle OR bike

9. Google Advanced Skills

How to Search: Good Things To Know
− Use an asterisk, *, if you are
unsure of a specific word in a
phrase or title

“To * a Mockingbird”, “the way the
* crumbles”

10. Google Advanced Skills

Use AROUND to find words or phrases
near each other (proximity operator)
− Grammy AROUND Adele

AROUND operator can be used to
search words or phrases within a
certain proximity

11. Google Advanced Skills

Shortcuts
− Find stock prices quickly by using
the stock symbol and entering the
symbol in the search box

Google = GOOG

Apple = AAPL

12. Google Advanced Skills

Shortcuts
− Find definitions quickly by typing
“define” before the word in
question

Define astrology

13. Google Advanced Skills

Filter image results by color!
− Depending on your information
need, filter your image results by
clicking on the “search tools”
button below your search box,
click “any color” and filter your
results

14. Factiva

Factiva hosts business information
and news articles from thousands of
sources.

A powerful research tool that
requires an understanding of the
database design and the use of your
search tools.

15. Factiva

When To Use: 
Find up to date
− Business stock info by
Information looking at the
− Stock Quotes
“Companies &
and Markets” page.
Information
− Newsworthy
events and
people
− Research
articles,
journals

16. Factiva
 Company Snapshot provides an
overview of a company with latest
news, key developments, financial
results and reports.
 Helpful in providing credible
overviews of companies and markets.

17. Factiva

Searching Factiva:
− KEEP IT SIMPLE!
− Use proximity operators
− Be aware of date delimiter
− Search for photos, too!

Get the most out of Factiva by
using the Search Builder,
formulating your search, using
proximity operators, and looking at
the controlled vocabulary terms,
called Intelligent Indexing.

18. Factiva

Sample Search:
− A patron is interested in finding out
about somewhat recent articles written
about bed bugs and public libraries

Before we begin the search, let's
think about our strategy...
− Key Terms: libraries and bed bugs

Proximity operators would be useful
in specifying that we need to find
info about bed bugs in libraries,
not just the two concepts...

19. Factiva

Sample Search continued...
− Use truncation to ensure you're
retrieving both library and
libraries in your search
− Use the “near” operator, n#, to
specify proximity between terms

20. Factiva

Sample Search Results:
− 19 articles retrieved
− Ranked in order of relevance

21. Factiva

These results can be narrowed down
even further based on the patron's
needs
− Narrowed by date, source,
publication, company

If the patron felt that too few
articles were retrieved, broaden
the search to widen the word gap
between libraries and bed bugs.

“Librar* near20 bedbugs”

22. Key Take-Aways

Remember that where you search is
just as important as what you
search.

It's not practical to use Factiva
or ProQuest Newsstand for a word
definition, the same way Google is
not always the best resource for
finding out published information
about libraries and bed bugs.

Create a search strategy before you
begin your search...not only will
you save time, but you will
solidify what it is you are trying
to find.

23. Key Take-Aways

Remember that you won't always find
the answer with the first search;
step back, refine your terms and
strategy, and try again!

Utilize the tools available, such
as proximity operators, controlled
vocabulary terms, tutorials and
help guides provided by the search
engines and databases.

Now that you have your tools,
search away!