Westlaw New Zealand Tip - Order of processing for Westlaw Boolean Terms and Connectors.
Using Terms & Connectors
- When you type a query into the Global search bar that contains a field restriction, proximity connector, or expander (+, %, !), your search will automatically process as a Boolean Terms and Connectors query. The default search term when you leave a space between words is an OR, meaning this will expand your search results.
- A list of the connectors and expanders can be found by selecting Search Tips from the homepage
- A list of the connectors and expanders will also be displayed on the right of the advanced search template.
Boolean Search Terms and Connectors Order of Processing:
| 1. |
Phrase (" ") Phrase search terms appear in the exact order as in the quotation marks, and plurals will automatically also be found, e.g., "fiduciary duty" will deliver fiduciary duties. If you prefer to search only for the exact term you have entered, place a hash symbol at the beginning of the term, e.g., "fiduciary #duty" |
| 2. |
OR Or is the default search setting in Westlaw. The “or” operator is always processed before the others (even if it isn’t the first search operator you’ve entered) e.g., For example: car vehicle automobile conveyance |
| 3. |
Numerical Connector +n +n the first search term must precede the second term by n terms, where n is a number from 1 to 255,e.g.,drone +20 privacy – finds drone within 20 words of privacy, in same order |
| 4. |
Numerical Connector /n /n the search terms must appear within n terms of each other, where n is a number from 1 to 255, e.g., drone /15 privacy finds drone within 15 words of privacy, in any order) |
| 5. |
Grammatical connectors +s +s the first search term must precede the second term in the same sentence, e.g.,drone +s privacy finds drone within the same sentence as privacy, in the same order |
| 6. |
Grammatical connectors /s /s the search terms must appear in the same sentence, e.g., drone /s privacy finds drone within the same sentence as privacy, in any order |
| 7. |
Grammatical connectors +p +p the first search term must be found in the same paragraph in the order they are written, e.g., drone +p privacy – finds drone with the same paragraph as privacy in the same order |
| 8. |
Grammatical connectors /p /p the search terms must appear in the same paragraph, e.g., drone /p privacy finds drone within the same paragraph, in any order |
| 9. |
AND (&) Results displayed will be documents where all those words exist, in any order, and not necessarily together e.g., trade & mark & registration. |
| 10. |
BUT NOT connector (%) Westlaw excludes everything that follows the BUT NOT (%) connector in your search e.g., "king salmon" % "marlborough sounds" otago Will retrieve documents having the phrase “King Salmon” but exclude any documents having the words Marlborough sounds, or Otago |