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How to Use OneSearch: Search Query Tips

Search Query Tips

  • Phrase Searching

OneSearch allows for phrase searching with the use of quotation marks " ". The query "teacher education" will find results with that phrase.

  • Searching Specific Fields

The single search box in OneSearch (basic search box or keyword search box in advanced search) will search across many fields automatically. For example, entering an ISBN, ISSN, or Call Number will bring back associated records.

You can explicitly search a field using the syntax: field:(query) For example, the search ISSN:(1234-5678) finds records that contain that value in the ISSN field.

  • Boolean Operators

OneSearch offers the following Boolean operations: AND, OR and NOT. The operators must be written in ALL CAPS.

By default, all terms in a search are combined with the AND operator. To expand the results set, use the OR operator. For example, microcircuits OR nanocircuits will return items that contain either term.

This can be combined with quoted terms such as "teacher education" OR "educator training".

To exclude items in OneSearch, use the NOT operator or - character before a term. When used in the following query animal NOT dog, the results will not include the term dog.

  • Wildcard Use in OneSearch

Searches within OneSearch can be performed using the wildcards ? and *.

The question mark (?) will match any one character and can be used to find Olsen or Olson by searching for Ols?n.

The asterisk (*) will match zero or more characters within a word or at the end of a word. A search for Ch*ter would match Charter, Character, and Chapter. When used at the end of a word, such as Temp*, it will match all suffixes Temptation, Temple and Temporary.

Wildcards cannot be used as the first character of a search.

  • Searchable fields:

Searchable fields are: Title / Subject Terms / Authors / Publisher / Publication Date / Volume / Issue / Lamguage / Notes / ISBN / ISSN / DOI / Dewey Classification System (call number)