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:

When working with search-query, the Advanced search query string should be copied 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 the construction of 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",
    "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.

Versions

Latest version: 1

Deprecated versions:

  • 0: Initial version with basic support for Web of Science queries. Field tags on this page are outdated (e.g., “DI” no longer works). The page is no longer available, but can be accessed through the Wayback Machine.

Resources