The Search Fields icon from Ovid's Main Search Page allows users to view a list of all the indexed fields available in a database; after clicking the button, the following options are supplied:

• search any field(s) directly or browse the index in order to select from an alphabetical list of entries found in the field(s)
• search from the Main Search Page Command Line

For direct searching, just click the Search Fields button to search for a word or phrase contained within one or more fields. Ovid presents a Search Fields/Indexes Page allowing users to select the appropriate checkboxes next to the desired field(s). At the top of the page, enter a word or phrase in the search command box and then click the Perform Search button to search directly, or click the Display Index(es) button to choose one or more variations of the word or phrase from the Index Display.

When searching from Ovid's Main Search Page Command Line, users must use the two-letter field labels shown in parentheses after each field name in the Search Fields/Indexes Page. For instance, if users search for the phrase "fuzzy logic" in the title and abstract, enter on the Command Line the desired phrase followed by a period character, the field abbreviations separated by commas, and close with another period. Then click the Perform Search button.

To learn more about a particular field in the list, users may click the information icon at the right of the field name. LSUHSC users should note that the fields available for their desired word or phrase (query) would differ from database to database.

For additional information on how to improve database searches using the Search Fields command or any other Ovid's search commands, consult Ovid's Help screens, or contact the Library Reference link removed Department to schedule a class at the Isché Library (504) 568-6102 or at the Dental link removed Library (504) 619-8507.

-- Carolyn K. Bridgewater
cbridg@lsuhsc.edu link removed