The writer gives 4 tips for better search control in HeinOnline databases. Two we know: Boolean operators (always in CAPs) and truncation. A third -- proximity -- is indicated with quotation marks (around the words that are being paired) and a tilde (~) plus number that follows. "molotov poland "~5 translates this way: look for Molotov within five words of poland In Lexis Nexis, the construction of proximity would be expressed this way: aceh w/5 tsunami.
Most interesting, and brand new to me: the ability to "boost" a search term. Add a caret ^ followed by a number: "molotov poland"~5 AND harriman^6. The higher the boost factor, the more relevant.
Seems to help with thorny FRUS searching questions and probably would have helped with the banking act questions we got last spring . . . remember those? Of course, it's not entirely clear to me what an optimal "boost number" would be, but I guess we should just experiment.
Seems to help with thorny FRUS searching questions and probably would have helped with the banking act questions we got last spring . . . remember those? Of course, it's not entirely clear to me what an optimal "boost number" would be, but I guess we should just experiment.
