WilsonWeb Quick Reference Guide - Searching with WilsonWeb

4. Searching with WilsonWeb

► Basic Search

► Advanced Search

► Customize Display

► Search in the Browse Mode

► Searching from the Thesaurus

► Using Search History

Basic Search

Searching automatically includes the All-Smart Search (a rules-based search).
Simply enter terms, or type in a more structured Boolean search.

To search for specific terms, using the All-Smart search:

Select one or more databases from the yellow selection area.
Click Close Database Selection Area or Open Database Selection Area, as appropriate.
Enter a word or phrase.
Mark or unmark the full text search option: Also search within the full text of the articles, for extra results. (Choice available only for appropriate databases.)
Note: The new WilsonWeb database called Play Index has a unique Basic Search screen. Instead of offering the Also search within the full text of the articles, for extra results, as mentioned above, it offers a checkbox for Include Book Records. You can not only search for a play, but also include book records in the search, for extra results.
Click Start.

To use Search / Boolean operators:

Select one or more databases from the yellow selection area.
Click Close Database Selection Area or Open Database Selection Area, as appropriate.
Enter a constructed search string.
Examples:
Bound phrase: “Greek tragedy”
Boolean search: (painters or sculptors) in Italy
Boolean search: ((water or contamination) and pollution) in su

Note 1: Although automatic as part of the All-Smart Search, it is possible to create a Bound Phrase by entering quotation marks (" ") around your search terms for any field being searched. This has the effect of turning off stemming/truncation, and searching the exact terms entered. A failure to use the bound phrase in some cases will give the user undesirable results.

For example, a search for a play in the Play Title field (tipl) for a play called Kean; or, Disorder and genius, will treat the OR and And as operators, generating a syntax error. If placed within quotation marks, the following search will return the exact play title.
"Kean; or, Disorder and genius" in tipl

Note 2: See Search/Boolean Operators in the online Help for examples of other Boolean searches using a sophisticated Verity syntax. For information on Bound Phrase searching, and other search techniques, see Construct a Search Query in the online Help.
Click Start.

First select database(s), then click Close Database Selection Area.

Enter term(s). Click Open Database Selection Area to change database.

To change display options:
In the bottom taskbar, click Customize Display to open a screen where you can determine which fields are displayed, how records are sorted, how field names are displayed, and how many results are displayed per page.

To clear selections:
In the bottom taskbar, click Clear.
Note: The database selection and the sorting options are not cleared when using this button.

Current Issues: Reference Shelf Plus

A unique visual database, Current Issues: Reference Shelf Plus only requires the user to do the following:
1. While on the Advanced Search screen, click on the picture/text for the Topic of interest.
2. Next, click on the Subtopic of interest, launching the search for pre-selected articles.
3. Click on the article title for the full citation, or on a full text icon, to retrieve the article.

See the online Help for these related topics:

Construct a Search Query
Limit Field Operators
Search / Boolean Operators
Stopwords
Truncation / Wildcards
Valid Search Statements

▲ Top

Advanced Search

When searching in Advanced Search, you can select All - Smart Search. The All - Smart Search is the mode of searching on the screen unless you enter a Boolean search. All - Smart Search uses a hierarchy of rules based on Wilson indexing and abstracting and then applies Verity search algorithms. The results will automatically show the most relevant articles at the top of the set when the Sort by Relevance option has been selected. For detailed information about search rules consult Relevancy Ranking and Search Rules Explained.

The All - Smart Search results are likely to give you very broad returns. To narrow this search, either return to, or go to the Advanced Search screen that includes a variety of limiting options. You may also use the functionality in the Search History page that allows you to refine your original search or combine it with a new search. You can also narrow your results by selecting a specific search field.

To construct a search:

Select one or more databases from the yellow selection area.
Click Close Database Selection Area or Open Database Selection Area, as appropriate.
Enter a word or phrase in the first text-entry area and make the appropriate selection from the as: drop-down list.
When using the All - Smart Search query do not use truncation symbols or other special characters. The Wilson All - Smart Search query will automatically search those options. Simply type the word or phrase that you are interested in and click Start. The search results will automatically show the most relevant articles at the top of the set when the Sort by Relevance option has been selected.
For examples of the All – Smart Search query, Keyword searches, Bound Phrase searches, and fielded searches, see Construct a Search Query in the online Help.
To formulate a search within specific fields, select and, or, or not, and enter additional terms in the second entry area. You can also use a third entry area for a more complex search. If desired, modify your search by selecting from the available on-screen options for sorting, limiting, article types, and physical descriptions, and Expand: that includes searching the full text of articles, for additional results.

Note 1: Although automatic as part of the All-Smart Search, it is possible to create a Bound Phrase by entering quotation marks (" ") around your search terms. This has the effect of turning off stemming/truncation, and searching the exact terms entered. A failure to use the bound phrase in some cases will give the user undesirable results.

For example, a search in the Title field for a record called Companies Not Behaving Badly, will treat the Not as an operator, eliminating all search terms Behaving Badly. If placed within quotation marks, the phrase "Companies Not Behaving Badly" will return the exact title.

Note 2: The new WilsonWeb database called Play Index has a unique two-tiered Advanced Search screen. Simplified text entry boxes are used are used to search fields when looking for a play. There is also a radio button that takes the user to the more conventional Advanced Search screen that can be used for locating books related to the plays within the database.
Click Start.

To change display options:

Click Customize Display, in the bottom taskbar, to open a screen where you can determine which fields are displayed, how records are sorted, how field names are displayed, and how many results are displayed per page.

To clear selections:
Click Clear in the bottom taskbar.
Note: The database selection and the sorting options are not cleared when using this button.

Current Issues: Reference Shelf Plus

▲ Top

Customize Display

Click the Customize Display button on the bottom taskbar to open a specification screen, which has areas for making selections to define how you prefer records to be displayed. Click Save Changes to implement this customization for the balance of your session. You can click Default Settings to reset the display to the original system default settings, or change settings at any time during your session.

Use the "+" or "-" to expand or collapse the screen to show all available options.

There are four areas in the screen:

Record Display Options
Record Sort Options
Select Fields to Include...
Article Records, Biography Records, Fact Records, and Book Records.
Apply These Custom Settings To...
All Displayed, Printed, Emailed, and Saved Records, Displayed Records only, Printed Records only, Emailed Records only, or Saved Records only

To modify the display of records:

Select the label display, the number of results shown on each screen, and whether or not you want to see a Brief or Full Display.
Select how you want records sorted: by date, relevance, or some other field from the drop-down window. Select the sort order of the retrieved records.
Check the field options you would like to include in your results. Click to uncheck any fields you prefer not to include.
Apply the desired fields to the Custom Settings area, as desired.
Click Save Changes in the bottom taskbar to confirm.

You can change these options at any time during the search session.

When you click Save Changes or Cancel in the bottom taskbar, you will return to your previous screen.

▲ Top

Search in the Browse Mode

Select one or more databases from the yellow selection area.
Click Close Database Selection Area or Open Database Selection Area, as appropriate.
Type a desired term, a few letters of any word, or a name in the blank term box.
Select a field from the dropdown In: box.
Click Start to go to the alphabetical listing.

WilsonWeb displays an alphabetical list with the term(s) you typed placed in the context of choices found in the Browse dropdown list In the results screen, click directly on the desired term or phrase to retrieve search results.

▲ Top

Searching from the Thesaurus

The Thesaurus is a controlled vocabulary list of subjects and related terms used to standardize the indexing in the database. You can select and search for synonyms, related, and preferred terms.

To search for a term:

Select one or more databases from the yellow selection area.
Click Close Database Selection Area or Open Database Selection Area, as appropriate.
Enter a term or phrase.
Click Start.

The results screen displays your term, or a related term, in a hierarchy. The report includes the database(s), and how many related records are available.

To clear terms entered:
Click Clear in the bottom taskbar.

▲ Top

Using Search History

This results screen reports each search conducted during your session. Each search is numbered, with the most recent being at the top. Each search is displayed in the Verity search engine syntax, including the database searched and the number of hits (or resulting records). You will be able to manipulate your search results in several ways, including the ability to save a search for later retrieval, retrieving previously saved searches to be updated, combine searches, or delete searches. You can modify any search in the text box areas, or launch a completely new search, if desired.

Also, you can create email Alerts for any search string by clicking the Alert button and following instructions.

1. You will need a “unique to you” ID# to log onto this page. To create your own personal ID# or to retrieve previously saved searches, first go to the Sign On entry area near the bottom of the screen.

If you are creating or entering your personal ID#, be careful to enter a set of numbers or characters that are unique to you, otherwise others within your institution may be able to see or modify your search history. Examples for number to use might be a student ID# or a library card#.
Note: You can create more than one ID# if desired, however, you will only be able to retrieve the saved contents of one ID# file at a time.

Enter your ID# before saving active searches or retrieving saved searches.

2. Move saved searches into the active Search String area of the screen for updating.

After you have logged onto the screen with your ID#, you will notice “Your Saved Searches” near the bottom of the screen (listed alphabetically), along with the date these saved searches were last modified. You can now choose to either delete the file saved, or load them into the active Search String area of the screen, by clicking on the appropriate icon, if desired.

3. Updating current session searches, or previously saved searches loaded into the Search String area. Plus, how to create email Alerts.

To update a previously saved search:

Click New Results and only the records added to the database since you last modified/saved the search string, will be retrieved.
Click Rerun if you wish to re-search the entire search string, returning all records available in the database.

To delete or remove searches:

Mark any searches you wish to delete (it is possible to click Select All) and then click Delete Marked.

To Save individual searches:

Mark any searches you wish to save (it is possible to click Select All).
Next, name your saved search in the Save As Name: text entry box to the right of the screen.
Finally, click the Save Marked button. Notice that the saved search will drop down to the Your Saved Searches area of the screen, for later retrieval.

To combine searches, use the Search Builder at the top of the screen:

1.	Select a Search Number from the dropdown box that coincides with the number assigned to each search in the Search String area.
2.	Next, select an Operator from the dropdown box (And, Or, Not) and then click the Add button. Notice that the search string has now automatically loaded into the text entry box to the right, along with the operator.
3.	Repeat steps 1 and 2, as often as is desired.
4.	Click Submit to search.

Note: It is also possible to add your own individual search terms or Boolean search strings in the Search Builder. For example, you can type in a single term and/or multiple terms (inserting your own “And,” “Or,” or “Not” operators), if desired. Clicking Submit would then launch your search in the database(s) most recently selected on your search pages.

To create an SDI Alert on the Search History screen:

1.	Either click the check box for the desired search in the Search String area, or retrieve, load, and then check a previously saved search.
2.	Click Alert to the right of the search string.
3.	On the Set up Your Search Alert page, enter the required fields and other possible selections.
4.	Click Save Alert, or Reset if you wish to start over.
5.	To activate your Alert, you must go to the confirmation email that has been sent to your inbox and click on the Confirm Email Address link.

How to Update Alerts and Delete Alerts

After activating your Alert, a notice screen appears, Your Search Alert has been Activated Successfully. Or, the next time you receive an Alert email, you will find Update Alert and Delete Alert links at the bottom of these pages. Select the appropriate link and follow the easy instructions.

Important Notes

1. The receipt of Alerts depends on the use of the correct email address and the good operation of the user’s email system. WilsonWeb is not responsible for Alerts that are not received.

2. For the unique visual interface, Current Issues: Reference Shelf Plus, Alerts and the Search History page will not be functional because of the nature of the database in which articles are pre-selected.

▲ Top