ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the steps in the preparation and execution of the search strategy and to demonstrate some of the more sophisticated capabilities offered by the search system vendors and database suppliers. Many of the searching techniques are available from all three of the major commercial systems; where differences occur they will be noted. Before discussing specific techniques, it is useful to review briefly the concept of the "unit record." Truncation is often used in subject searching as well as author searching. There may be an occasion to search in the author address field, such as to determine all authors in France writing on heart transplantation. Special techniques may be employed to increase the suitability of the retrieval to client requirements or to speed the completion of the search. New capabilities are added frequently, and information about them usually appears in system or database newsletters or other publications.
