Transcript How to Effectively Use the IIUM Library OPAC

How to Effectively
Use the IIUM
Library OPAC:
Advanced Search
Customer Services Division
IIUM Library
June 2007/yab/updated 290807
Why Should I Use Advanced Search
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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 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.
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Access the Library Homepage at http://lib.iiu.edu.my
Click Library Catalogue
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Click “Search”
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Click “Advanced”
Analyze What You Are Looking For
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Let say you are looking for the “Effect of food on
children’s behaviour”.
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.
Boolean Operator “AND”
CHILDREN
AND
BEHAVIOUR
When should I use AND in a search?
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To narrow your search, telling OPAC that ALL search
terms must be present in the resulting records.
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In the above diagram, the search result is represented in
blue.
Boolean Operator “OR”
BOYS
OR
GIRLS
When should I use OR in a search?
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To retrieve two or more similar concepts (synonyms).
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To broaden your search, telling OPAC that ANY of your
search terms can be present in the resulting records.
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Using the OR operator will result in a larger number of
retrieved items and therefore expands the search.
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OR means MORE.
Boolean Operator “NOT”
NOT
CHILDREN
BABIES
When should I use NOT in a search?
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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.
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Since you are using keywords, change the Search by
to “Title Keyword”
Enter the keywords and use the correct Boolean
Operators
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.