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Proximity searching allows you to search based on how closely two or more search terms appear in the search results. This is useful when you are looking for concepts that might be expressed by multiple different phrases. For example, if you did a regular phrase search for “curriculum theories,” you would not retrieve documents mentioning theories of curriculum, theories involving curriculum, theories about curriculum, or other similar phrases. But, if you were to do a proximity search, and look for the term curriculum appearing within a number of certain words (or less) of the term theories, you would be able to retrieve many phrases formed with those words.
Proximity searches use operators to designate how closely, and in what order, you want the search terms to appear. Typically the proximity operators are composed of a letter (N or W) or word (NEAR) and a number (to specify the number of words appearing between your search terms). Databases vary significantly for the highest number you can select, anywhere from 10-255. Remember, the lower the number, the narrower the search.
For example, curriculum N3 theories would search for curriculum within 3 words of theories, in any order. Curriculum W3 theories would search for curriculum within 3 words of theories, in the exact order in which you entered them. In this case, a “within” search is narrower since it is dependent on the exact order of the terms. So, curriculum W3 theories may pull up articles about curriculum design theories or curriculum reform theories, but not theories of curriculum design or theories of curriculum reform, as would a search for curriculum N3 theories.
However, it is important to keep in mind that different databases use different proximity operators. Check the help menu of the database you're searching to find out what symbols it uses. Included below are examples of proximity searches in popular NU Databases, as well as Google.
Near Operator (N): N5 finds the words if they are a maximum of five words apart from one another, regardless of the order in which they appear.
For example, the below search in Roadrunner would retrieve results containing the term strategy or strategies within 8 words of the term teaching (in any order) AND the exact phrase “inclusive classroom.”
Within Operator (W): W8 finds the words if they are within eight words of one another, in the order in which you entered them.
For example, curriculum W3 theories would search for curriculum within 3 words of theories, in the exact order in which you entered them. In this case, a “within” search is narrower since it is dependent on the exact order of the terms. So, curriculum W3 theories may pull up articles about curriculum design theories or curriculum reform theories, but not theories of curriculum design or theories of curriculum reform, as would a search for curriculum N3 theories.
Content: One central search that contains all of NU's subscribed EBSCO databases.
Purpose: Search for articles from multiple disciplines with this collection of databases from EBSCO.
Content: Scholarly journals, e-books, videos and more.
Purpose: A key multidisciplinary database for most topics. It is one of the library’s main search engines and the most comprehensive single search.
Note: Certain library databases and publisher content are not searchable in NavigatorSearch, and individual databases may need to be searched to retrieve information due to unique content. NavigatorSearch can be found at https://resources.nu.edu.
Near Operator (N): N5 finds the words if they are a maximum of five words apart from one another, regardless of the order in which they appear.
For example, the below search in Gale Academic OneFile would retrieve results containing the term memory within 8 words of the term repressed (in any order).
Content: Multidisciplinary content in a number of different formats, from academic articles to magazines
Purpose: Provides users with a broad range of content about diverse topics in different source types
Special Features: Includes a visualization tool and browse-by-topic feature that aids in brainstorming topics, a Lexile feature that filters texts by difficulty, the ability to highlight and add notes to text, and a read-aloud feature.
Near Operator (N/ or NEAR/): N/5 finds the words if they are a maximum of five words apart from one another, regardless of the order in which they appear. NEAR/5 has the same effect.
For example, the below search in Roadrunner would retrieve results containing the term strategy or strategies within 8 words of the term teaching (in any order) AND the exact phrase “inclusive classroom.”
This link opens in a new windowContent: Collection of more than 30 Proquest subject-specific databases covering Business, Health and Medical, Social Sciences, Education, Science and Technology, and Humanities.
Purpose: Students can view a massive amount of peer-reviewed research across multiple disciplines.
Special Features: Includes a Thesaurus feature that assists in using the database’s controlled vocabulary, as well as read-aloud feature. AI research assistant on the full text page with key takeaways.
Near Operator (N/ or NEAR/): N/5 finds the words if they are a maximum of five words apart from one another, regardless of the order in which they appear. NEAR/5 has the same effect.
For example, the below search in ProQuest Dissertations & Theses would retrieve results containing the term teacher within 5 words of the term perception (in any order) AND the exact phrase “inclusive classroom" in the abstract of the article, as well as the word elementary anywhere in the content
This link opens in a new windowContent: National University & NCU student dissertations and literature reviews.
Purpose: Use for foundational research, to locate test instruments and data, and more.
Special Features: Search by advisor (chair), degree, degree level, or department. Includes a read-aloud feature. AI-generated foundational research results about the topic on the full-text page.
This link opens in a new windowContent: Global student dissertations and literature reviews.
Purpose: Use for foundational research, to locate test instruments and data, and more.
Special Features: Search by advisor (chair), degree, degree level, or department. Includes a read-aloud feature. AI-generated foundational research about the topic on the full-text page.
Within Operator (W/): W/5 finds the words if they are a maximum of five words apart from one another, regardless of the order in which they appear.
For example, the below search in ScienceDirect would retrieve results containing the term school within 4 words of the term readiness (in any order) AND the exact phrase “teacher perception.”
Content: Elsevier’s science database covering computer science, health science, and social sciences. Contains peer-reviewed and open-access journal articles and book chapters.
Purpose: A great resource that covers foundational science to new and novel research.
Special Features: Covers theoretical and practical aspects of physical, life, health, and social sciences.
Near Operator (NEAR/): NEAR/5 finds the words if they are a maximum of five words apart from one another, regardless of the order in which they appear. (Note that in Web of Knowledge you must enter the full word NEAR rather than just the letter N.)
For example, the below search in Web of Knowledge would retrieve results containing the term information within 7 words of the term security (in any order) AND either the term hospital or the exact phrase “medical center.”
Content: Citations and articles in multi-disciplines not found through a NavigatorSearch.
Purpose: Used to conduct topic searches as well as find additional resources that have cited a specific resource (citation network).
Around Operator [ AROUND( ) ]: AROUND(5) finds the words if they are a maximum of five words apart from one another, regardless of the order in which they appear.
For example, the below search in Google would retrieve results containing the exact phrase “emotional intelligence” within 2 words of the term instrument (in any order). Click here for additional tips on using Google for research.
