a method or strategy of construct a search by looking for a word or combination of words that describe a document in a natural language as opposed to the controlled language of subject of descriptor searching.

keyword searching results in a list of database records that contain all the keywords entered as search terms, according to the logic of the search. A keyword search may be performed in one index, or it may be performed in more than one index combined. Keyword searching is explained in OWL 4.

Keyword searching allows a user to construct a search by looking for a word or phrase which may be contained in any of several fields (e.g. author, title, or subject fields.)

The process of electronically searching a database on a CD-ROM or other optical disc or online information service for all locations of any specified keywords or keyword combinations within the database. (7/96)

Permits you to search a database for the occurrence of specific words or terms, regardless of where they may appear in the database record. See: Search Techniques.

Uses natural language to search and allows for concepts to be combined.

A form of searching which allows a combination of terms - author, title, subject - to be used. In an advanced keyword search, search terms are combined with Boolean operators ('and', 'or', 'not', 'with', 'near'). Keyword searching can be used to search the Library catalogue, databases, online indexes and search engines.

A search performed in any database that looks for important words in a number of fields at one time.

A keyword search looks for specific words or terms that occur anywhere in a field (title, subject, heading, contents, etc.). Keyword searching is useful when you have incomplete information. Compare to Browse Searching. Go to Top

Using a word or combination of words to search an electronic resource (CD-ROM, online catalog, database). Keyword looks for words in titles, subject headings, and contents notes. Keywords do not have to be standardised subject headings.

a method of searching a database in which you use of your own "natural language" (i.e. keywords), rather than standardized subject headings

keyword searching allows a user to construct a search by looking for a word or combination of words which may be contained in any of several fields, e.g. author, title, descriptor Back to the top

a search performed in a database or catalog to look for important words in a number of fields at one time.

A method or strategy of constructing a search by looking for a word or combination of words from the author, title, or subject fields of records as opposed to the controlled language of subject or descriptor searching.

A type of search that looks for words in titles, contents notes, and abstracts. This is a useful search when your information is incomplete or uncertain. Different electronic systems call keyword searching by various names, such as "word" or "text searching."

Allows you to use your own words, rather than the controlled vocabulary, i.e. subject heading, that a particular database uses. To search effectively by subject, you must know the correct phrasing employed by the particular database. You can save yourself the frustration of doing subject searches that yield no results by doing keyword searches. The main disadvantage of keyword searches is that your search term may be found out of context. If you are looking for books about crickets, you may also find recordings by Buddy Holly and the Crickets. Keyword searches are demonstrated in the Secondary Literature Strategies section. See Boolean Operators and Truncation for hints to make your keyword searches more effective.

Searching which uses a few key, or important, words to retrieve books or articles on a specific topic or associated with those words in some way. The keywords could be used to search from the text of the document (if it is a full-text database), or some named Field (author, title, etc.) depending on the Database being used and the searcher's intent. Often useful for very new topics for which Controlled Vocabulary indexes will not have a subject term yet established. Searching by keyword often utilizes Boolean Searching.

A feature in which the search engine or computer program searches for every occurrence of a particular word in the database, regardless of where it may appear.

The most significant words in a topic, book or article title, etc. Keywords are used as terms when searching databases. [| Up to K| Down to M | Bottom

typing significant words and phrases that relate to a topic into a search engine. For example, to find information about your pet, Gerby, you might type the keywords gerbils and sand rats. If you wanted scientific information you could try the scientific terms Gerbillus, Tatera, Taterillus gracilis and so on. If you needed to find more general information you could broaden your search with the terms domestic animals and pets.

a method or strategy to find information or material by looking for a work or combination of words that describe the item.  A "keyword" is a significant word from a title or subject used to search for a book or other item User-friendly databases allow patrons to do keyword searches using natural language.  Learning how to narrowing down a keyword search is an important information literacy skill.

A keyword search directs the computer to look for a word or a combination of words from the author, title, or subject fields in a record.

Keyword searching allows you to retrieve information in a database by looking for a word or combination of words. Key words can be used in general (free-text) or in specific fields, such as title or subject.

Using a word or combination of words to search an electronic resource (CD-ROM, online catalog, database. Keyword looks for words in titles, corporate names, subject headings, and contents notes. A broader term than descriptor or subject heading.

A method of computer searching based on natural language rather than a controlled vocabulary list. Important "key" words that might appear in titles, abstracts, or in full-text articles are chosen for search terms.

A keyword is a predefined word or set of word that identifies a specific record or document. A keyword search uses these keywords to locate information in a database or on the Internet.

a way to search an index or database by searching for particular words in titles, names, subject headings, abstracts and any other information available in publication records. This kind of searching allow you to combine keywords by using the Boolean operators AND, OR and NOT. Keyword searching is more flexible than subject searching because it allows the searcher to select his or her own words or phrases for the search.

Refers to the instructions given to the computer to search for words in multiple fields of a record, i.e. author, subject or title fields.