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How to search using Ovid

What is proximity searching?

Proximity searching is a way to search for two or more words that occur within a certain number of words from each other. This can be ideal for those searches which have a number of phrases for a concept with combinations of the same words. 

Searching Ovid using proximity

Ovid databases use the proximity operator ADJ (for adjacency) for proximity searching this can be qualified by adding a number after ADJ (e.g. ADJ5) to indicate the number of words occurring between two search terms.

 

For example, to search Embase for citations where the terms "distracted" and "driving" appear with no more than two words between them, try the search:

distracted ADJ2 driving

Search results may include distracted driving, distracted while driving, distracted when driving, driving while distracted and more.

Wolters Kluwer. “Embase: Exerpta Medica Database Guide.” Ovid Database Guide, 18 Jan. 2024, https://ospguides.ovid.com/OSPguides/embase.htm.