Search Basics

Some databases will allow the use of proximity or positional operators.  This means you can locate one word within a certain distance of another.  This is helpful when you don't want the preciseness of a phrase search but you also don't want the expansiveness of an AND search.  Not all databases provide this option but if they do it can include:

• Adjacent
• Near
• Within

The symbols generaly used include: n or w or adj. 

The adj represents the word "adjacent"

The w represents the word "within"

The n represents the word "near"

Adjacent  (ADJ)  - terms in the search box must appear in the record next to (adjacent to) each other in the same order as you enter them.

Example:   civil adj rights

Near operator (N/x) - finds words within x number of words from each other and usually it is regardless of the order in which they appear.

Example:   ballistic n/3 missile

Within Operator (W/x) - finds words within x number of words from each other, and in the order they are entered

Example:   biological w/5 terrorism

If you are a Google user you might want to consult this GoogleGuide on Search Operators to help you conduct better Google searches.