Go-Geo Help - Using the Advanced Search   

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 Go-Geo Help - Using the Advanced Search

 

Introduction
The Advanced Search feature allows you to search more efficiently than the quick search and is an essential tool for the more experienced user who wishes to retrieve results using narrow search criteria. If you are finding too few search results then try using the Quick Search to broaden your search criteria.

| Locating the Advanced Search | Using the Advanced Search | Data Type Tab | Location Tab | Using the Map Browser | Text Tab | Boolean Operators | Date Range Tab | Summary Tab |

Locating the Advanced Search
The advanced search can be found by clicking on the 'Advanced Search' Go! button located on the home page.

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Using the Advanced Search
You may complete one or more of the 'Advanced Search' tabs (running along the top of the page) in order to conduct a specific search. You can also specify how many records you wish to display per page (at the bottom) and in which format you wish to see the search results. Once you are happy with your choice of search criteria, click on the Summary tab and then the 'Search ' button to start searching.  More details on how to search using the tabs can be found below:

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Data Type Tab
The 'Data Type' tab allows you to specify which datasets you wish to search through, or the type of resource you wish to search for. The tab has been split into a) 'geospatial datasets' (such as GIgateway)- where you will find all data-nodes you can search within; and, b) 'other types of resources ' (such as maps, images). The Data Type tab must be used in conjunction with one of the other tabs.

To use the Data Type tab you must select one of either a) 'geospatial datasets' or b) 'other types of resources' using the radio buttons to select.

 

A) Geospatial Datasets
To choose a 'dataset', click on the name of a network or catalogue you wish to search.

Set left on the default settings Go-Geo! will search the whole of the "Go-Geo! network" and all "GIgateway" data sources.

In looking for specific catalogues or data sources you will find under the "Go-Geo! network" for example the UKDA (History catalogue) (formally the AHDS History) held at the UK Data Archive, University of Essex. If your University Institution has one, and you are logged in to 'Login: My Go-Geo!' from the Go-Geo! Home Page, you will also be able to view and search your private local Institution node (i.e. Edinburgh University Institution Node [Private]') which will appear here as an addittional option.

The GIgateway network includes: The Ordnance Survey; British Geological Survey; local governement; IGGI; QinteiQ and Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH).

 

B) Other types of resources
To select a resource, click in the check box next to the resource you wish to search for (for example COPAC Maps).

Further information about the data sources and suppliers can be found in the help facility (Button at the top right of the Advanced Search Page).

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Location Tab
The 'Location' tab allows you to search for records by either place name, geographic area or National Grid coordinates.

This Tab page presents you with a number of location-based search options, use the radio buttons to select:

i) No Location Search (default setting)

ii) Place Name
You can search by place name by entering a name into the blank 'Find' field. This search may also be expanded to include nearby areas by clicking on the 'expand?' check box.

iii) Postcode
Type in a postcode.

iv) Basic Geographic Area
You can select UK, England, Scotland or Wales on the 'Geographic Location' box to search by geographic area. If England, Scotland or Wales are chosen, a further list will appear in the County and/or Unitary authority box. You can then select an area from this list.

v) National Grid Coordinates or Using the Map-Browser
You may either enter grid coordinates or use the map browser to enter coorindates for you. The Map Browser is a map-based searching feature which allows the user to conduct a visual search of a geographic area. You can begin to use the map browser by clicking on the map icon (see image below) or the button 'map browser'.

 

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Using the Map Browser
The Google map can be used to select a search location, by clicking on the map. You can zoom in or out or use the Pan tool to move around the map, and the drag-box tool to drag and select a box area (see also: Using the Quick Search Box map tools) . The examples below show a user zooming (using the Drag-box tool) in to the county of Essex.

 

Once your chosen location has been found, click on 'use this extent' link (at the top of the Google maps API) and the map will close. You will find that the coordinates from your selected location have appeared in the National Grid coorindates fields found on the 'advanced search' page (see image below).

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Text Tab
The text tab allows you to conduct a 'free text' search which means you can use any word or phrase of your choice. You can search by using just one word/phrase or up to four words/phrases.

To search using the 'Text' tab simply type a word or phrase into one of the 'Find this text' fields. You can specify where to search in the records for your chosen text. The drop down box 'in this field' provides you with the option of searching:

• in any part of the record;
• title;
• abstract;
• location;
• supplier.

Care must be taken as this may change the emphasis of the search. For example, searching for 'Essex' in the title or abstract may result in records which are about the geographic area of Essex, whereas a search for 'Essex' in the supplier field could result in records from The University of Essex being located. The default is for 'any part of record'.

Boolean Operators
To narrow or widen your text search further you can use the boolean operators AND, OR & NOT. These operators can be found as options in the drop down list located on the right hand side of the 'Text tab'. The default for this feature is AND.

To narrow your search use:

• AND e.g. geography AND archaeology. This will retrieve records with both the words geography and archaeology
• NOT e.g. river NOT lake. This will find records containing only the word river and exclude those that contain lake

To broaden your search use:

• OR e.g. woodland OR forest. This will retrieve records which contain both or either of the terms

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Date Range Tab
The 'Date Range' tab allows you to specify the dates within which to conduct a search query.

You can search by either:

• choosing before, after or on a specific date;
• by setting a range of dates to search from and to.

Examples
1) before 17th July 1998
2) fom 1st January 1990 to 17th July 1998

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Summary Tab
The summary tab shows the search criteria you have selected.

If you make a mistake, use the 'Reset' button to clear all the search criteria.

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