The MOST Theological Collection
Search Instructions and Results Explanation
[Formulating a Search] [Understanding the Results]
You need not read these instructions prior to performing a search.
The Most Database Search Screen provides you with several methods of restricting your search. Most usefully, you can restrict the search to a particular work or group of works by using the scrolling list of works at the top of the form. You can also use a combination of different words or phrases in the various fields, and you can use the AND and OR operators as desired.
By default, all of Fr. Most's online works are searched. In each case, the search engine returns a listing of every work title, chapter title, paragraph and footnote in all selected works which contains text matching your search criteria. For any paragraph or footnote, you can move directly to the entire chapter or work which contains it. From any found paragraph, you can browse forward or backward through the document. Also, when accessed through the search engine, paragraphs are always numbered so that you can quickly find the immediate context for particular paragraphs.
Formulating a Search
Searches are NOT case-sensitive.
- Performing a simple search
To perform a simple search, type the word or phrase you wish to search for into the first field on the form, and then click the SEARCH button. There is no need to use quotation marks to enclose a phrase. By default, all works are searched. - Restricting your search
You can restrict the search to a particular work or set of works by selecting one or more titles from the list of works at the top of the form.You can also restrict your search by using the AND operator. If you type something in the AND/OR (second) field and select AND (the default), your search will return all items in our database which contain BOTH what you typed in the first field AND what you typed in the second field. This restricts your search as compared with using the first field alone.
- Expanding your search
You can expand your search by selecting "All Works" (the first choice) in the list of works at the top of the form, if not already selected.You can also expand your search by using the OR operator. If you type something in the AND/OR (second) field and select OR, your search will return all items which contain EITHER what you typed in the first field OR what you typed in the second field. This expands your search as compared with using the first field alone.
- Excluding items from your search
If you type something in the NOT (third) field, your search will return all items which meet the previous conditions EXCEPT those which contain what you typed in the third field. This specifically excludes items that might otherwise have been found, further restricting your search.
Understanding the Results
Each search generates results in four possible categories, depending on what matches your search criteria. The four categories are displayed in sequence:
- Works
If your criteria are matched by the title of any works in the database, these works are listed, with hyperlinks to the complete text. - Chapters
If your criteria are matched by the title of any chapters within the works in the database, these chapters are listed, with hyperlinks to the complete text of each chapter. - Paragraphs and Footnotes
These are, of course, the heart of the search process. Every paragraph and footnote is listed which contains text which matches your criteria. Footnotes are hyperlinked to the chapter or work which contains the note. Paragraphs are similarly hyperlinked, and when you bring up the corresponding chapter or work, the paragraphs are numbered to match those found by the search engine. From any paragraph, you can also move backward or forward in the document.
