searching tips and techniques
These instructions provide basic search tips for many types of databases. However, each database will have its own interface and search methods. For each database, see the “Help” or “Search Tips” section for information on how to search.
boolean operators
Many article databases allow you to search using the Boolean operators AND, OR, and NOT.
1. Placing AND between two search terms will retrieve results that contain BOTH terms. This will NARROW your search. (Many databases will automatically place an AND between terms unless otherwise specified):
1. Placing AND between two search terms will retrieve results that contain BOTH terms. This will NARROW your search. (Many databases will automatically place an AND between terms unless otherwise specified):
For
example, the above search will find results that contain both “portable” and
“architecture.”
2. Placing OR between two search terms will retrieve results that contain AT LEAST ONE of the terms. This will BROADEN your search:
2. Placing OR between two search terms will retrieve results that contain AT LEAST ONE of the terms. This will BROADEN your search:
For example, the above search will find results that contain either “portable” or “movable” or both.
3. Placing NOT between two search terms will retrieve results that contain the first term, but not the second.
3. Placing NOT between two search terms will retrieve results that contain the first term, but not the second.
Create
complex searches by combining multiple terms using these operators:
quotations and truncations
Placing quotations around terms will search for instances in which those terms appear side-by-side in the exact order you specify (i.e. results will contain the exact phrase).
E.g. “portable architecture,” “mobile home,” or “shipping container”
Placing an asterisk at the end of a word will search for all words containing the same root.
E.g. architect* will search for:
E.g. “portable architecture,” “mobile home,” or “shipping container”
Placing an asterisk at the end of a word will search for all words containing the same root.
E.g. architect* will search for:
- Architect
- Architects
- Architecture
- Architectural
drop down menus
Use drop-down menus to search in specific fields. Common fields are author, subject, title, and abstract. Searching “all fields” or by keyword will give the broadest results:
using limiters
Use the limiters below the search bars to narrow your results further. *Search tip: Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals allows you to search for articles containing maps, drawings, and plans and also allows you to search for just exhibition reviews.
expanding to multiple databases
Click on the “Searching: 1 database” link (sometimes called “Choose Databases”) to expand your search to multiple databases:
Once you have retrieved your results, limit them further by using the facets on the side. These will allow you to limit by publication date, subject, language, and peer review.
*Search tip: Subject headings will provide synonymous terms that may be used for searching under the subject drop-down menu on the search screen.
*Search tip: Subject headings will provide synonymous terms that may be used for searching under the subject drop-down menu on the search screen.
full text articles
Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals, as well as some other databases, will not include many full-text articles. In order to find the full text of the article you want, click on the "Get it! UTL" icon to find a copy of the article in the U of T collection. If this link does not connect you directly to the article, search for the Journal Title under the “Catalogue” tab of the U of T library and search for the article by date, volume, and issue number.