Using the Checkpoint Thesaurus/Query Tool

When performing a search, you may wish to locate those documents that refer to your topic but do not contain the precise keywords you used when constructing your search. The Thesaurus/Query Tool lets you request that any documents containing your keywords or their synonyms should be retrieved by your search.

Each practice area has its own thesaurus. For example, if you conduct a keyword search of Federal sources, the Thesaurus/Query Tool displays only Federal terms that match your search criteria.

If you are searching sources from several practice areas, the Thesaurus/Query Tool generates an integrated list of related terms from the practice areas you selected.

The Thesaurus/Query Tool is available for both Intuitive Search and Terms & Connectors search. The features and functionality of the Thesaurus vary depending on whether you select Intuitive Search or Terms & Connectors as your search method.

NOTE: For users of earlier versions of Checkpoint, the current Thesaurus/Query Tool replaces and enhances the functionality formerly provided by the '$' wildcard character.

How to use the Thesaurus in your search

On the menu bar, click the Search menu.
On the Search screen, in the Keywords field, type the keywords that best describe your research topic.
Select either Intuitive Search or Terms & Connectors.
Click the Thesaurus/Query Tool link below the Keywords field.The Thesaurus/Query Tool dialog box opens with the Tools link as the default.
To add search syntax and connectors to the Current Query pane, select the connector in the Connectors pane, and then click Append.
To view a list of synonyms for your Current Query keywords, click the Thesaurus link. The Thesaurus displays synonyms in the Select Alternatives pane.

To add alternative terms to the Current Query keywords, see the following table.

To add a single term listed in the Select Alternatives pane to your search:	Click the term once.
To add several terms in the Select Alternatives pane to your search at the same time:	Select the appropriate keyword in the Select Term pane, press and hold the Ctrl key, and then click the terms in the Select Alternatives pane that you want to add to the selected keyword. Repeat this procedure for each keyword.
To add all terms in the Select Alternatives pane:	Click the Include all alternatives in query link.

Every time you add a related term to your search, the Current Query pane automatically updates to show your query selections.

NOTE: You can activate the Automatically apply all thesaurus terms option from the Search/Display options screen if you want all available thesaurus terms to be applied automatically to your keyword searches. You can also manually edit your query in the Current Query pane. If you do so, make sure each term is separated by the bar (|) character.

If you selected Intuitive Search, you can use the Restrictions link to refine your search by requiring or excluding words from the search phrase.
- Click the Require check box next to any term you want to require in the query.
- Click the Exclude check box next to any term you want to exclude from the query.
Click OK to accept the changes you made to your search. The Thesaurus/Query Tool dialog box closes and Checkpoint returns to the Search screen, where your revised search query appears in the Keywords field.
Click Search to start your search and view the results.