World Religions Research Guide

Proximity Searching

Proximity searching is a variation on phrase searching. Proximity searching allows for more flexibility than either Boolean AND operators or phrase searching. While proximity searching is a more sophisticated approach than simple Boolean searching, you will find the relevant results well worth the effort. Frequently used proximity operators include ADJACENT (ADJ), WITH (W), and NEAR (N) though others may be supported by the database or search engine.

ADJACENT and WITH usually require that the words appear next to each other in the order stated, while NEAR requires that the search terms appear in close proximity in any order. In some databases, numbers can be used in combination with the operator to define how close or far apart the words can be. The theory behind proximity searching is that words in a search are usually more meaningful the closer they appear to each other in the document. The following examples illustrate the use of proximity operators. The use of these operators varies; you need to consult the help files for each database or search engine that you use.

• George N3 Bush would retrieve George W. Bush, George Walker Bush, George Herbert Walker Bush, George and Laura Bush, George, Jenna and Barbara Bush, as well as Bush, George Walker, and other combinations where George appears within 3 words of Bush.
• George W2 Bush would retrieve George W. Bush, George Walker Bush, George Herbert Walker Bush but not George, Jenna and Barbara Bush and not Bush, George Walker
• George w Bush would be the same as searching "George Bush" and would not retrieve his name if it were stated with either a middle name or middle initial.