Different search entries
Certain information on publications featured in library catalogues and databases is stored in records. Each of these records consist of a number of fields such as title, author, subject headings, year of publication, etc. You can search by using any of these fields, either in combination or separately. This is why the fields are also called search entries.
Usually, you will enter your search question in the first search box you come across (simple search of basic search). You will then search in all of the fields simultaneously. Some databases, such as LexisNexis, offer a fulltext search , in which the entire text of a document is searched through.
This can be useful, but can often result in many irrelevant hits. In this case, it would be better to choose one specific search entry. In many databases and catalogues search forms can be found under advanced search which can be used to search by a specific search entry.
Example HvA Catalogue
A basic search in the HvA catalogue using the word heart produces references to 89 items. The word heart occurs:
- as a title word ("works of heart : building village through the arts")
- as an author’s name ("American Heart Association")
- in the subject (of: "Training techniques in cardiac rehabilitation"). This books are really about the heart.
