Which search method looks for exact word matches across specified fields in a catalog or database?

Which search method looks for exact word matches across specified fields in a catalog or database?

• A. Keyword search
• B. Boolean operator
• C. Subject heading
• D. Digital resources

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how you retrieve records by matching the terms you type with the words stored in a catalog. A keyword search is the method that looks for those exact words across multiple fields in a record, such as the title, author, subject, or description. This makes it straightforward: you enter the word or phrase, and the system returns items where that exact word appears anywhere in the chosen fields. Think of it this way: keyword search is about literal word matches across the record’s text. A Boolean operator, by contrast, is a tool you use to combine terms (like AND, OR, NOT) to narrow or broaden results, not a single method for exact word matching. A subject heading relies on predefined topics assigned to items, so it’s about using controlled vocabulary rather than searching for arbitrary word occurrences. Digital resources describe the type of materials you’re searching, not how the search is performed.

The main idea here is how you retrieve records by matching the terms you type with the words stored in a catalog. A keyword search is the method that looks for those exact words across multiple fields in a record, such as the title, author, subject, or description. This makes it straightforward: you enter the word or phrase, and the system returns items where that exact word appears anywhere in the chosen fields.

Think of it this way: keyword search is about literal word matches across the record’s text. A Boolean operator, by contrast, is a tool you use to combine terms (like AND, OR, NOT) to narrow or broaden results, not a single method for exact word matching. A subject heading relies on predefined topics assigned to items, so it’s about using controlled vocabulary rather than searching for arbitrary word occurrences. Digital resources describe the type of materials you’re searching, not how the search is performed.