Before conducting a search, the searcher should be familiar with all of the available fields in the database. In Panel type search engines, fields are normally chosen from a pop-down menu through a click and select mechanism with the mouse. In Command line search engines, the searcher must type a field code into the search string along with the search term. The syntax varies considerably for field codes and their use in a search string so the database Help feature should be consulted for search engines which use a Command line. Operators Operators are words which connect search terms in a logical manner in order to maximize the efficiency of a search.
Operators are relatively consistent among databases.
There are two types of operators and the most common examples of each are given. AND Both terms must appear in any record retrieved by the search. OR Either one or the other term must appear in any record retrieved by the search. Both may appear but only one is necessary. NOT The first term must appear but the second term must not appear in any record retrieved by the search.