Brief guide to searching
There are two main ways to search the database, simple and advanced
searching.
Simple search
The simple search is accessed via the “Google-style” search box in the top
right hand corner of any catalogue page.
By default, the simple search will search across the Title and Description
fields. Where more than one term is entered, the default is an AND search.
See the “What are acceptable searches?” page for samples of simple searches.
Advanced search
The advanced search enables you to perform “Any text Field” searches, and
also to search specifically on certain fields
Refine advanced search criteria
By default, a search will look for the word or words you have entered.
However you can choose to change the default search criteria by clicking the
“Refine Search Criteria” option. There are three ways to refine the search
option:
With all the words
With at least one of the words
Without the words
Searching on picklist fields
If the field on which you are searching is a “picklist” field (a field in
which the content is restricted to a limited list) it will appear with a drop
down list from which you can select your search term.
Searching Terms or Subjects
The Term and/or Subject fields may be options on the advanced search page.
Subject and Term may link to separate “authority file” databases from which
you can select a subject or a term to search on.
To search in the subject and term fields, you can either:
type a word into the Term search field and click Search
Type a word into the Term search field and click the [Terms] button to the
right of the field.
If the term you have entered exists in the authority file the term will be
displayed along with any broader, narrower, related terms. It is then possible
to browse across other terms. When you click Select, the term currently selected
will copy across to the Advanced Search screen. If the term you have entered
does not exist in the authority file you will have the option to either go back
to the Advanced Search screen or browse all the top level terms.
See the “What are acceptable searches?” page for samples of advanced searches