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Guide to using MathSciNet

Search tips

Use the search tips below to help improve your searching. 

 By using these advanced search techniques, you can increase, reduce or improve the relevancy of your search results, making it easier to find the right materials. 

Operator Example Finds articles with...
AND algebra AND topology both the word algebra and the word topology
OR topology  AND  (algebraic OR differential) either the word algebraic or the word differential and the word topology 
NOT algebra AND differential AND topology NOT manifolds the words algebra, differential and topology but not the word manifold
Proximity algebra N8 topology the words algebra and topology within 8 words of each other, in any order
Within algebra W8 topology the words algebra and topology within 8 words of each other, but algebra comes first followed by topology
Phrase "computational algebraic geometry" the words in the exact order - e.g. computational algebraic geometry but not computational aspects in algebraic geometry
* (wildcard) algebr*

algebra, algebras, algebraic

The * wildcard is generally used to find different word endings.  It works best when there are at least three letters before it.
? (Wildcard) ne?t

next, neat and nest

The ? wildcard is used to replace an unknown character
# (Wildcard) Factor**ing

factoring and factorising (American)

The # wildcard is generally used to find words with alternative spellings, where the alternative spelling might contain an extra character

Restrictions when using wildcards

  • Wildcards are not allowed as the first character in a search term.
  • If there is only one leading character before a wildcard then, there must be at least one additional literal character within the first four characters.
    • f#r* (allowed because two literal characters are within the first four characters)
    • f??* (not allowed because only one leading character within the first four characters)
  • When using a wildcard in a search term, the plural or possessive forms and any synonyms for the word are not searched.
    • For example, when searching for colo#r, the plural words "colors" and "colours" are not searched.
  • When using truncation, alternate forms and synonyms are not searched.
    • For example, when searching for pediatric*, the alternate form paediatric is not searched. When searching for tumor*, the alternate term neoplasm is not searched.
  • When using truncation, the Apply Equivalent Subjects option is still in effect for a root term that matches a concept, (a PREF term in mapped, controlled, subject vocabularies). The query will expand to the equivalent PREF term used in the subject field for the database searched.
    • For example, a search for education* is expanded to the equivalent subjects "teaching," "teaching methods," "instruction," in databases that use these PREF terms for the concept "education."
    • Turn off the Apply Equivalent Subjects option in the UI to prevent possible expansion of root terms to equivalent subjects when using truncation.
  • Wildcards do not work with Chinese (中文), Japanese (日本語), and Korean (한국어) languages.
  • The use of the truncation wildcard character (*) expands a term in a query up to a limit of 2000 terms.
  • Do not use the truncation wildcard character (*) in the second position with letters that follow it, like this, f*tal. All letters following the leading character will be ignored. Instead, use # or ? in the second position, such as f#tal or f?tal.

Advanced MathSciNet Help

For more advanced searching, you can download the EBSCO Help File for MathSciNet. The file include useful details like searchable fields, field descriptions, authority files, and other MathSciNet-specific information.