Unit 4: Search Methods

Lesson 5: Phrase Searching


Phrase searching is a way to find records that contain an exact phrase: terms that are located side by side and in a specific order. Phrase searching allows you to locate terms that have a distinct meaning when put together as a phrase, as opposed to individual, separate keywords that do not have to be located right next to each other.

To conduct a phrase search, simply place your phrase in quotation marks. For example, the search phrase “public safety” will locate all records with the phrase “public safety.” However, entering the terms public and safety as individual keywords will locate records with these terms as separate concepts.

Search Tips

• Some online search tools use brackets to search for phrases
• Review the Help function of online search tools to learn what to use
• Edison College Library’s online catalog uses quotation marks for phrase searching. You also can search by phrase by selecting yes beside the Exact phrase search option on the homepage of the catalog.
  
  
  
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