Phrase Searching

Phrase searching is used to search for words as phrases. That is, the words must be side by side and in the order given (Difference: keyword searching words do not have to be next to each other).

For example: If you searched for the phrase "distance learning,"

Phrase searching - distance learning
Keyword search - distance and learning

How phrase searching is designated differs among different electronic resources. In some systems, if you enter two or more words in a row, they will be searched as a phrase. Other systems provide a method for you to indicate that you want the words searched as a phrase.
For example: sex discrimination

ProQuest - sex discrimination
InfoTrac - "sex discrimination" or sex w1 discrimination

PRACTICE:

1. Using ProQuest Research try this search.

2. Go to Basic Search

3. Search the terms, martin luther king, then search "martin luther king"

Notice you retrieved less because by putting quotes around the two words you force the database to search that exact phrase. Without the quotes the database can search for the three words in any order and may put an AND or an OR between the two words.