Usage of Complex Search Queries

Overview

This article aims to guide you on how to use complex search queries in APA (Active Paper Archive).

 

Environment

Active Paper Archive

  

Information

APA Search Queries

  1. Wildcards:
    • * - Any characters. Example: Searching for sa* results to anything that begins with sa, such as sale or save.
    • ? - Refers to any alphanumeric characters. Example: ?an results to ran, pan, can, or ban.
    • You can place more than one wildcard in a word. Example: b???d* results to broadening or bleeding.
    • Phrase: The use of quotation marks ( " ) finds documents containing the exact phrase entered in quotation marks.
  2. Logical Operators:
    • Entering an <OR> operator between two words finds documents containing at least one of the words. Example: Computers <OR> Laptops.
    • Entering an <AND> operator between two words finds documents containing both words. Example: Computers <AND> Laptops.
    • Entering <NOT> before the word returns documents which do not contain this word.
    • Entering <NEAR>/n (where n is a number) between two words returns documents where these words are placed close to each other in the defined distance. Example: fast <NEAR>/3 dance returns documents containing the combination of the words fast dance as well as fast and beautiful dance. The maximum value of n is 9.
    • You can group words and change the precedence of the logical operator by using parentheses. Example: Price <NEAR/5> (Computers <OR> Laptops) <AND> <NOT> "Made in China".

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