ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses search strategy construction in general terms, independent of search system-specific requirements, in order to provide an understanding of the principles involved. Search strategy construction begins with the client's information need or search request. Boolean logic connector is useful in search requests. The searcher can create a list of synonyms or alternative terms which may have been used to describe the desired concept. Authors or indexers frequently apply descriptive terms that are different from those which may first come to the searcher's mind. When building a search strategy, it is important to understand that a computer does not search for "concepts" but only matches the terms it has been given against the terms found in the database on a word-for-word and even a letter-by-letter basis.
