How to use Factiva

Free Text is the most robust type of search on Factiva. You can combine various search commands with index codes, and specific date range(s).

• TIP: If you click on the "Examples" link under the Free Text and Search Form entries, you get an explanation of the types of connectors (and, or, not), operators you can use to narrow down your search (such as near, adjacent, with); how to use * and $ to truncate your search, and using ? for wildcard searching.

Maybe you’re wondering about food and water insecurity in New Jersey

• Type: hl=(food or water) w/3 insecur* the regional code for New Jersey and subject code for food/water insecurity

  • The hl= command tells the search engine to search in the headline field only.

  • The parentheses are for nested searching – allowing you to search for EITHER food OR water. Increasing the number of keyword synonyms enables you to broaden the search and capture the greatest number of relevant articles. 

  • The w/3 command searches these two concepts within 3 words of each other 

  • By putting a * after insecur*, it tells the search engine to search for alternate versions such as suffixes, singular, plural, etc. For example, insecure or insecurity.

• Link to a Quick Reference Card for additional assistance.