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".