How to Effectively Use the IIUM Library OPAC: Advanced Search Customer Services Division IIUM Library June 2007/yab/updated

Why Should I Use Advanced Search To focus a search, particularly when your topic contains elements of multiple subjects. To focus a search, particularly when your topic contains elements of multiple subjects. To connect various pieces of information to find exactly what you're looking for. To connect various pieces of information to find exactly what you're looking for. To use the numerous options for making your searches more precise and getting more useful results To use the numerous options for making your searches more precise and getting more useful results To use a better interface for Boolean searching of "AND", "OR" and "NOT" [or "AND NOT"] to either narrow or expand the results of the search. To use a better interface for Boolean searching of "AND", "OR" and "NOT" [or "AND NOT"] to either narrow or expand the results of the search.

Access the Library Homepage at Access the Library Homepage at Click Library Catalogue Click Library Catalogue

Click “Search” Click “Search”

Click “Advanced” Click “Advanced”

Let say you are looking for the “Effect of food on children’s behaviour”. Let say you are looking for the “Effect of food on children’s behaviour”. To effectively use the “Advanced Search”: To effectively use the “Advanced Search”: i. List down the alternative keywords, for example: food = chocolate, sugar children = boys, girls, adolescent, toddlers behaviour = attitude, hyperactivity (different authors use different keywords to describe the same thing. If you use the same keywords throughout your search, you might miss those books which contain the alternative keywords) ii. Combine the keywords by using the Boolean Operators, as shown in the following slides. Analyze What You Are Looking For

Boolean Operator “AND” When should I use AND in a search? To narrow your search, telling OPAC that ALL search terms must be present in the resulting records. In the above diagram, the search result is represented in blue. CHILDRENBEHAVIOURAND

Boolean Operator “OR” When should I use OR in a search? To retrieve two or more similar concepts (synonyms). To broaden your search, telling OPAC that ANY of your search terms can be present in the resulting records. Using the OR operator will result in a larger number of retrieved items and therefore expands the search. OR means MORE. BOYSGIRLS OR

Boolean Operator “NOT” When should I use NOT in a search? To exclude words from your search. To narrow your search, telling OPAC to ignore concepts that may be implied by your search terms. NOT thus narrows or limits a search by excluding the keyword immediately following it. NOT BABIES CHILDREN

1. Since you are using keywords, change the Search by to “Title Keyword” 2. Enter the keywords and use the correct Boolean Operators 3. Click “Go”

Results (behaviour OR attitude) AND children If you are not satisfied with the search results, add more keywords or change your search strategy

Other Searching Techniques  The use of “Truncation”, represented by the symbol (*) will retrieve all the words after “behav” (typed as behav*). Example: behaviour, behavior, behave, behaved, behaving, behavioural, behaviorism, etc.  Ensure that the word is spelled correctly.

Results from the Use of Truncation Expanded from the previous 22 results to 142 results.

Use/Add other keywords for the same search/topic RESULTS

Getting the Book from the Shelf Copy the Call Number Go to the Correct Level/Collection For easy reference, range of call numbers is pasted on each stack. For assistance, please approach the Information Desks.