Formulation of Search Strategy
While performing a patent search it is important that results must have high value of recall and precision. Results must contain almost all patents in searched technical area as well unwanted results must be retrieved minimum. Here are some points which searchers much consider for an effective search.
Pose the Question: What & Where
This is the first and most important step for selecting appropriate database especially in case of paid search. As different databases have different scope based on their contents, one need to be specific while selecting appropriate databases.
Identification of Proper Keywords
After selecting databases next step is to identify keywords which best define the concept of the technology. In the selection of keywords should avoid those words which are very common for other technology/subject also.
Broadening the Search (High Recall)
Once keywords are identified, next job for a searcher is to put them in proper strings in order to get the all relevant records. Here are some points which must be considered before executing search for high recall.
Synonyms, acronyms, alternate terms
Different patents may use different terms for a same keyword. So it is important to include all possible synonyms of any keywords and combine them with OR logical operator. For example while searching for washing it is advisable to consider cleaning, deterging etc as keywords.
US and British spelling variations
Sometimes a keyword is spelled differently in US and
Abbreviation and plural form
Right truncation should be used for including plurals of singular keywords. Abbreviation also used in the middle of the words also like T??TH will give tooth and teeth. These truncations vary for database.
Narrowing the Search (High Precision)
High recall is always associated with many irrelevant search results. Searcher’s next job is to minimize or exclude unwanted results. Here are some ways to increase precision in search results.
Defining Proximity
Most of databases allow to define the proximity between keywords i.e. whether two terms are adjacent to each other, in the same sentence or in same paragraph. Using these proximity operators instead of AND operators increases the precision of search.
Use of classification codes
Same keywords can lead to results from different area of technology because of the presence of that word but not related to particular technology. Use classification codes to search.
Add more concepts to search strategy
If the search is more comprehensive with respect to the broader concepts of the search strategy, one or most concepts, which are essential part of the target results, can be added with AND operator to refine the search.
There are some more ways to narrow down the search like defining a particular filing/publication period, particular applicant/assignee, patenting country etc., if required.
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