Web of Science
Web of Science (WoS) is a multidisciplinary citation database that supports structured search queries with field tags and Boolean operators.
Run a Query
Queries in Web of Science can be constructed using:
the Basic search interface, or
the Advanced search interface, which allows for precise control using field tags (e.g., TI=, TS=, AU=).
When working with search-query, we recommend copying the Advanced search query string directly for use as the search_string.
Web of Science supports structured queries using field tags such as TS= (Topic), TI= (Title), AB= (Abstract), AU= (Author), etc.
Tip
Include field tags explicitly in the search_string. Leave the general_field empty.
Store a Query
When storing a Web of Science query:
Use the Advanced search query string as the search_string.
Leave the general_field empty unless all terms share the same field tag.
Example:
(TS="digital health") AND (TS="privacy")
List Query Format
Web of Science allows users to construct complex queries by combining previously defined search sets using numbered references (e.g., #1 AND #2
). This list-based approach is commonly used in systematic searches where multiple search lines are logically combined.
Such list queries are supported by the search-query
parsers and allow referencing earlier statements using #
followed by the search line number.
List queries should be formatted as follows:
{
"search_string": "1. TS=(digital health OR telemedicine)\n2. TS=(physical activity OR exercise)\n3. #1 AND #2",
"general_field": ""
}
Each numbered line represents an individual query component, and later lines can combine previous results using logical operators like AND
, OR
, or NOT
.
Best Practices and Recommendations
Prefer Advanced Search for reproducible and structured queries.
Use explicit field tags (TS=, TI=, AB=, etc.) instead of relying on default fields.
Resources
Note
Field tags on this page are outdated (e.g., “DI” no longer works).