RightResult - the missing manual

Keyword searches in WebPAC Pro use the RightResult ranking algorithm to present results (except when RightResult is bypassed, as described below). Results can be presented in a maximum of five groups; the number of groups presented depends on the search expression.

 

The Groups

NOTE: the initial English articles "a," "an," and "the" are stripped from keyword searches. The phrase "search expression as entered" below should be taken to mean the search expression as entered minus those initial articles. 

1. Group 1 contains records in which the search expression as entered is found in the main title (245|a).
   If the search expression includes "and" and is entered on a single line (vs. using multiple search term fields in the Advanced Search form), Group 1 contains records in which all and-ed terms are found in the main title. (If multiple fields in the Advanced Search form are used, RightResult is bypassed.)
   
   
2. Group 2 contains records in which the search expression as entered is found in the subtitle or author.
   If the search expression includes "and" and is entered on a single line (vs. using multiple search term fields in the Advanced Search form), Group 2 contains records in which all and-ed terms are found in the title or author. (If multiple fields in the Advanced Search form are used, RightResult is bypassed.)
   
   
3. Group 3 contains records in which the search expression as entered is found in a subject heading, table of contents, or note.
   If the search expression includes "and" and is entered on a single line (vs. using multiple search term fields in the Advanced Search form), Group 3 contains records in which all and-ed terms are found in a subject heading, table of contents, or note. (If multiple fields in the Advanced Search form are used, RightResult is bypassed.)
   
   
4. Group 4 contains records in which all terms from a multiple-term search expression are found in a title field, but not as a phrase.
   If the search is for a single term, there will be no Group 4.
   
   
5. Group 5 contains records in which all terms from a multiple-term search expression are found anywhere in the record, but not as a phrase.
   If the search is for a single term, there will be no Group 5.
   
   

Other Information

• Records within a group are sorted by date; there is no ranking of records within a group.
• If the search expression entered by the user contains "and", i.e., the search as entered is term1 and term2, only groups 1-3 will be presented. If "and" comes from using multiple inputs on the Advanced Search page, i.e., the search is (term1) and (term2), RightResult is bypassed.
• If and not is part of the search expression, regardless of how it's entered, RightResult is bypassed.
• If a "targeted" search is performed, RightResult is bypassed. Examples of targeted searches include searches that:
  • Specify a keyword slice, e.g., t:cats or a:shakespeare
  • Include terms in quotes, e.g., "harry potter"
  • Include terms in parentheses, e.g., (cats) and (dogs)