Combining results from multiple searches

Sometimes you may need to find information that requires more than one search. For example, if you are looking for people in roles across all entities and across a number of countries, it may be necessary to combine results from a series of separate searches to obtain a suitable result.

You can run a series of searches and select the records you want from each search. These selected records are built up into one set of records in Selection.

You can do any number of searches and select any number of records from these searches and the selected records will remain in Selection until you clear them or log out.

Example 1: Combining the results of  two searches

Suppose you need to find all the Co-ordinating Editors in Australia and New Zealand. This is best done by running separate searches and combining the selected records into one set in Selection.

Preparation

Make sure that Selection is empty (use Clear on Selection page if needed) and go to the Advanced Search page.   

Search 1: Find all Co-ordinating Editors in Australia

  1. Choose to search for People.

  2. Choose Role in entity Is Co-ordinating Editor In Any entity

  3. Choose Country Is Australia.

  4. Select Match all rows and click Search.

Select the results

  1. From Results, click Select all. All records are now in Selection, as well as listed in Results.

  2. From Results, click New Search. This will take you back to the Advanced Search page. Notice that your selected records are still in Selection.

  3. When you need to run a new search that is similar to the one you have just run, modifying the information you previously entered can be easier than beginning a new search from scratch. Just the click the relevant search tab, e.g., Advanced, to return to the search and modify it.

Search 2: Find all Co-ordinating Editors in New Zealand

  1. Choose Role in entity Is Co-ordinating Editor In Any entity.

  2. Choose Country Is New Zealand.

  3. Select Match all rows and click Search.

Select the results

  1. From Results, choose Select all. These records have now been added to those already in Selection.

  2. Click on the Selection tab. All records you have selected from your two searches are listed here where they can be viewed, edited, or exported in the format of your choice.

Example 2: Refining a set of selected records with a second search

Some times you need to refine your selection and you can do this by manually choosing the records and using the Unselect button. But if the records you wish to remove can all be found with a new search, they can be removed much more easily.

Suppose you want to generate labels so you can send a set of papers to all Trials Search Coordinators (TSCs). But those TSCs that are also Managing Editors (MEs) have already received the papers at a recent meeting, so you want a list of all TSCs who are not also MEs. This can be done by first finding and selecting all TSCs, and then finding all MEs and removing any of these already in Selection.

Preparation

Make sure that Selection is empty (use Clear on Selection page if needed) and go to the Advanced Search page.  

Search 1: Find all TSCs

  1. Choose to search for People.

  2. Choose Role in entity Is Trials Search Co-ordinator In Any entity.

  3. Click Search.

Select the TSCs

  1. From Results, click Select all. All TSCs are now in Selection.

  2. From Results, click New Search. This will take you back to the Search page you came from. Notice that your selected records are still in Selection.

Search 2: Find all MEs

  1. Choose Role in entity is Managing Editor in Any entity.

  2. Click Search.

Unselect the MEs

  1. From Results, click Unselect all. Any MEs who were already selected will be removed from Selection. Your selection now contains all TSCs that are not also MEs.

You can generate mailing labels for the selected records by using Tools > Export....   

See also  Advanced Search, Results, Selection, About tools