Search Examples

The following examples demonstrate how to search the database. These examples are not exhaustive, but do illustrate several search techniques. It is important to note that, although all examples are given in lowercase, SPIRS is not case-sensitive; whether your search terms are entered in upper- or lower-case, the same records will be retrieved.

Example 1

To find a specific author of a book or article, such as Claude Saunier, conduct the following search:

  (saunier-claude-g in au) or (saunier-claude-g in aub)

Note: Use parentheses to group long search statements to ensure that SPIRS interprets them correctly.

Example 2

To find information from meetings about the genetics of yeasts:

1. Search for the term genetics in the Major Concepts (MC) field:

  genetics in mc

2. Search for the term yeast in the Organisms (OR) field. Begin your search with the and operator to combine it with the previous search:

  and yeast in or

3. Limit your search to records from meetings by using the Document Type (DT) field:

  and dt=meeting

Example 3

For a comprehensive search of all subject terms, use the Subject Terms (TS) field, which searches several more specific fields. Your search results are displayed in the fields in which the search term is found. For example, the following search statement retrieves records with the term gramineae in the Super Taxa (ST) and Organisms (OR) fields:

  gramineae in ts

Note: Use the Thesaurus to locate appropriate controlled search terms.