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Advanced Search

Search for records by using field tags, set combinations, or a combination of both. For example: TI=Global Warming finds records in which the terms "global" and "warming" appear in the same record. The two terms do not have to appear in the same sentence or paragraph.

The format of an Advanced Search query consists of one or more field tags and a search string. Search operators and wildcards are allowed.

Use an equal sign (=) with a field tag along with a wildcard to broaden your search. For example, SO=Gene Express* finds records of this Data Study from the repository source called Gene Expression Omnibus.

The Search History table at the bottom of the page displays all successful searches that you ran during the current session. Search sets are listed in the Search History table in reverse numerical order - the most recently created set is at the top of the table.

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Using Advanced Search

1. Go to the More Settings section of the search page if you need to change your settings.

2. Enter your search query in the Advanced Search text box using the two-character field tags.

3. Click Search.

4. In the Search History table, click the link in the Results column to go to a Results page to view the results of your search.

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Combine Sets

The search sets are listed in the Search History table in reverse numerical order - the most recently created set is at the top of the table.

To combine two or more sets:

1. Click the AND or OR option under the Combine Sets column.

2. Select the check box under the Combine Sets column of each set that you want to combine.

3. Click the Combine button.

4. Click the link in the Results column to view the results of your search.

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Combining Sets (Examples)

#1 (or any set number)

Refreshes the results of a search query. In this instance, you may want to first select a different timespan change your other settings.

#1 AND #2

Finds all records that appear in both set #1 and set #2.

#2 NOT #3

Finds all records in set #2 that are not in set #3.

#2 OR #3

Finds all records that are in set #2 and set #3 including records common to both sets.

(#2 NOT #1) AND #3

Finds all records in set #2 that are not in set #1, and only those records that are in both set #2 and set #3.

(#1 OR #2 OR #4) AND #3

Finds all records in set #1, set #2, or set #4 that are also present in set #3.

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Save History / Create Alert

This feature allows you to save your search queries to a search history file that you can retrieve and open at a later date.

Click the Save History / Create Alert button to go to the Save Search History overlay dialog where you can save your work to the host server or to your local workstation.

You can save up to 40 search sets from the Search History table. A search history contains the search query and the selected settings for each search query.

See also Save Search History

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Save a Search History as an Alert

If your organization subscribes to the alerting service, you can save a search history as an alert. You must have a subscription to Web of Science Core Collection to save a search history as an alert

The alert automatically searches the last update to the database, and then sends all relevant results to you by e-mail. For example, if your search history is on Nanotechnology, the system will send you all new works on this topic.

Note: Alerting is not available for searches that you created from an All Databases. When you go to the Search History page after performing an All Databases search, the button is simply called Save History".

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Open Saved History

1. From the Search History or Advanced Search page, click the Open Saved History button in the Search History table to go to the Saved Searches and Alerts overlay dialog.

2. Click the Open button of the needed search history file from the host server or from your local workstation.

3. From the View History page, click the Run Search button.

4. From the Select Database(s) and Timespan page, change your timespan and settings, if needed.

5. Click the Save As My Defaults button if you want to save your revised settings so that they are available each time you open this particular search history file. This step is optional.

6. Click the Continue button to go to the Search History page.

7. Click the desired number link under the Results column to go to the Results page to view and / or output your records.

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Delete Sets

From the Search History or Advanced Search page:

• Select the check box in the Delete Sets column of the unwanted search query, and then click Delete to remove the search history set from the Search History table.

Or

• Click the Select All button to select all search queries, and then click Delete to remove all of the search historys set from the Search History table.

Dependent Sets: After you click Delete, the product checks for dependent sets. Selected sets that are not referenced in other sets are deleted. If, however, a set is referenced in a set that is not selected for deletion, the product returns the following error message.

At least one of the sets you have selected to delete is referenced in a set combination. We have marked the affected set combinations for you. Please verify the checkmarks and click DELETE to remove the sets.

In this instance, the product marks the Delete Sets check box of both the original set marked for deletion and the referenced set. You can either delete both sets or neither set.

Example 1: You create a set combination (set #3) that includes sets #1 and #2. You cannot delete set #1 because set #3 (the referenced set) is dependent on set #1. You can, however, delete both sets #1 and #3.

Example 2: You create a set (set #2) by using the Refine Results option from the Results page. You cannot delete this set because it is dependent upon the original parent set (set #1). You can, however, delete both sets.

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Advanced Search Examples

• TS=biodeterioration
• TS=(biodeterioration AND food)
• TS=biodeterioration AND #1
• TI=mad cow disease*
• AU=Smith A*
• SO=Cell

More Examples?

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Set Combination Search Rules

• Include a number (#) sign before each set number.

• Include Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) in set combinations.

• Do not use the SAME operator or wildcards in set combinations.

• Use parentheses to override operator precedence.

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Using Research Area Terms

Use Research Area terms with the Advanced Search SU field tag to narrow your search to specific fields of study.

For example, SU=(Biochemistry & Molecular Biology AND Biophysics) finds records in which both research areas must appear in the Research Area field within a Full Record.

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Using Web of Science Categories

Use Web of Science Categories with the Advanced Search WC field tag to narrow your search to specific fields of study.

For example:

WC=(Anthropology AND Archaeology) finds all records in which both categories in the query must appear in the Web of Science Categories field within a Full Record.