SEARCH TIPS

There are 3 ways to search The Physician’s Index online:

1. Basic Search: Search Using the Search Box

The Search Box allows you to create a custom search by searching all fields in the database.

To perform a search using the Search Box:

    • Enter your search—a single word, multiple words, quoted phrase, name(s), title, ISSN, ISBN, Boolean expression, or combination thereof—into the Search Box
    • Click on the SEARCH button

2. 60 Preselected Searches in Bioethics, Medical Ethics, and the Philosophy of Medicine

60 preselected searches on key topics are provided.

To perform a Select Search:

    • Click on any topic

3. Advanced Search

Advanced Searches, which are accessible only from the Advanced Search page, are more powerful and provide:

  • A choice of search boxes in which to enter your search—different search boxes search different fields in the database
  • The capability to search using multiple search boxes simultaneously
  • The capability to narrow your search by specifying a date range for publications, all languages or English only, and a document type

Hint: Clear the search by clicking the CLEAR button before beginning another advanced search.

Advanced Search Boxes

Author/Reviewer Search

Enter one or more names for publications written by a particular scholar(s).

 Valid formats for entering a name include:

  • Last Name (Example: Schneiderman)
  • First Name Last Name (Example: Lawrence Schneiderman)
  • Last Name, First Name (Example: Schneiderman, Lawrence)

Subject Search (Words or Names)

Enter one or more keywords(s) or name(s) that describe the content of the work you are seeking.

Title Search by Journal Name

To find articles in one specific journal, begin entering the journal name and then select the journal title from the drop-down menu, which does not include all titles, but does include the most requested titles.

Title Search by Article, Book, Book Review or Series Name

To find an article, book, or book review, enter a title or part of a title.

ISBN/ISSN Search

Books can be found by entering the ISBN, and journals can be found by entering the ISSN.

Enter an ISBN with hyphens or spaces:

978-90-420-2804-3
978 90 420 2804 3
Note: Omitting the hyphens or spaces is not a valid format (Example: 789042028043)

Enter an ISSN with hyphens or spaces:

0029-7607
0029 7607
Note: Omitting the hyphens or spaces is not a valid format (Example: 00297607)

Narrow Your Search by Specifying

Publication Year

Narrow a search by entering the 4-digit start and end year.

Language

Narrow a search by selecting “English only” from the drop-down menu.

Document Type

Narrow a search by selecting one of the following document types:

Journal Article
Book
Anthology
Contribution to an Anthology
Book Review

Additional Search Tips

Searches on a single word, multiple words, quoted phrase, and combinations thereof are permitted

Examples include:

  • Search for a single word—consent
  • Search for a quoted phrase—“doctor-patient relationship”
  • Search for two quoted phrases—“genetic screening” OR “genetic testing”
  • Search for both a single word and quoted phrase—contraception OR “birth control”
  • Search for 3 quoted phrases—“organ donation” OR “organ donor” OR “organ procurement” 

A Boolean Search: Search with AND, OR, and NOT

AND

Within the search fields, you can enter multiple search terms or names that are automatically combined with the Boolean operator “AND.” For example, searching for “American” and “bioethics” will return only records that contain both words, which may or may not be located next to one another in the record.

OR

You can enter multiple search terms or names and combine them with the Boolean operator “OR.” For example, searching for “American OR bioethics” will return records that contain either words or both words.

NOT

If the Boolean operator “NOT” is used, the term after the operator must not be in the record. For example, searching for “American NOT bioethics” will return records that contain the word “American” but do not contain the word “bioethics.”

Hint: The Boolean operators are case sensitive and must be in all capital letters.