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Database Searching: Super Searching Techniques

Database Searching: Super Searching Techniques. Elizabeth Farrell FSU College of Law Research Center February, 2008. WHY? Well crafted searches = more precise Better Results, Higher Confidence The Good & Bad News Good: Robust, sophisticated search engines in many commercial databases

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Database Searching: Super Searching Techniques

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  1. Database Searching:Super Searching Techniques Elizabeth Farrell FSU College of Law Research CenterFebruary, 2008

  2. WHY? Well crafted searches = more precise Better Results, Higher Confidence The Good & Bad News Good: Robust, sophisticated search engines in many commercial databases Bad: Fewer features and some limitations for web search engines Designing Better Searches

  3. High level of search precision High confidence in search results Lots of control over search input Why Super-Searchers Prefer Terms & Connectors

  4. Also known as “Boolean” searching Uses connectors like OR, AND, NOT between search terms Can specify: mandatory terms alternate terms terms to exclude terms in specific parts of the document terms appearing X times terms within a certain proximity of other terms Using Terms & Connectors

  5. Step 1: Gather Enough Information Step 2: Frame and Articulate the Issue Step 3: Determine Key Search Terms Step 4: Add Alternate Terms Step 5: Determine Relationships between Terms Step 6: Use Fields/Segments to Add Precision Step 7: Use Advanced Boolean Features Designing an Effective Search – Step by Step

  6. What are you trying to find? Jurisdiction Types of materials Is a database search the best option? Step 1: Gather Enough Information

  7. Consider… The information as if you were briefing a case Searching the opposite side of the issue Imagining how the ideal document might discuss the issue Step 2: Frame and Articulate the Issue

  8. A well-framed issue will usually make the key search terms easy to see. Examples: Elements required to prove malice Relied on a misrepresentation of the facts Step 3: Determine Key Search Terms

  9. Good search terms… Carry meaning Are essential to the issue Be cautious of… Superfluous or incidental terms Alternate phrasing Step 3: Determine Key Search Terms

  10. Synonyms are critical to good searches damag! or destroy! or total! w/10 car or automobile or vehicle Antonyms can also be helpful admit! or admiss! or inadmiss! or relevan! or irrelevan! w/5 evidence Step 4: Add Alternate Terms

  11. The purpose of connectors is to show the desired relationships between terms. Step 5: Determine Relationships between Terms • Examples: • fraud AND insurance • tax! w/3 income • damages w/25 negligen! • res judicata

  12. Online documents are divided up into searchable segments (or fields). Users can specify where within a document a term should appear. judges(o'connor) and court(eighth circuit) and drugs or narcotics Step 6: Use Fields/Segments to Add Precision

  13. Specify… Singular/plural word forms Upper/lowercase characters Number of times a word/phrase appears Terms to exclude Step 7: Use Advanced Boolean Features

  14. Other subscription databases (BNA, CCH, Hein) Many have boolean and/or advanced search capabilities – use them! Syntax may vary slightly, but the principles are the same. Internet Search Engines Understand the content and searching limitations Explore advanced search features (if available). Searching Outside Lexis & Westlaw

  15. Questions?

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