Sections

Basic Search in ImamFind Research Portal

Free Text Search

Start your search by typing your search terms into the search field. As you type, the search will try to predict your term by offering suggestions, such as the title of a book.

Search terms separated by spaces use the AND search logic and will return results containing all of your search terms.

Example:
Jansson Tove
functions identically to
Jansson AND Tove

Preliminary Filtering

Use the drop-down menu in the search field to limit your search to title, author, or subject.

Search Phrase Examples

  • bicycle – general search
  • "bicycles" – exact match
  • "University of Helsinki" – phrase search
  • farm OR farming – broader results
  • "Jansson Tove" – author search
  • farm* – truncation (farms, farming, etc.)

Results are sorted by relevance by default. You can change the order (e.g., by publication year) or view as a list or image gallery.

Filtering Search Results

Use left-side filters to refine results by:

  • Available online
  • Usage rights (CC licences, Rights Statements)
  • Content type (books, images, etc.)
  • Author, Topic, Region, Language
  • Year of manufacture/publication
  • Organisation (museum, library, archive)
  • New in ImamFind research portal

Filters remain active until you click Reset filters.

Saving Searches

After logging in, use Save search to store queries and set email alerts for new matching items.

Combining Search Terms (Boolean Operators)

  • AND – all terms required
  • OR – any term sufficient
  • NOT – exclude terms (cannot be used alone)

The Use of Wildcards

  • * – zero or more characters: competit*
  • ? – one character: wom?n

Use quotes: "University of Helsinki"

Enter full number with or without dashes, e.g., 9789513165833 or 07828195.

Fine-Tuning Your Search

  • Fuzzy: roam~
  • Proximity: "economics Keynes"~10
  • Range: [1920 TO 1950]
  • Weighted: Koivisto^5