Search & Browse

Reference Manual

Division of Statutory Revision

Table of Contents

Section 1: General Information

Exploring Search & Browse User Interface

Working with Document Collections Search Source

Working with Search Forms

Exploring Table of Contents (TOC) Frame

Exploring Search & Browse User Options

Section 2: Searching Document Collections

Performing Advanced Searches

Performing Boolean Searches

Searching Florida Statutes

Searching Laws of Florida

Searching Florida Constitution

Section 3: Searching Indexes and Tables

Searching Indexes

Searching Tables

Section 4: Browsing Search Results

Exploring the Results Page

Working with Document Navigation Tools

Viewing Reference Information

Printing Search Results

Clearing Hit Highlights

Synchronizing Contents

Saving and Managing Search Results

Section 1:
General Information

Introduction

Search & Browse is a dynamic browser-based application that uses Internet Explorer and FAST NXT4 Search Engine for full-text search and retrieval. With Search & Browse, you can search for words, phrases, and numbers in legislative document collections. You can also browse document collections as opposed to searching them.

Search & Browse makes volumes of information easily accessible by providing the following features:

Exploring Search & Browse User Interface

Search & Browse employs drop-down, page, and button tools to provide easy access to a wealth of legislative documents. The illustration and table below identify and describe the Search & Browse user interface elements.

Search & Browse User Interface

Working with Document Collections Search Source

Search & Browse allows you to select the document collection(s) you want to search. The table below list the document collections currently available in Search & Browse.

Working with Search Forms

Search forms are provided to allow you to initiate a search based on document type or specific parts of a document. Available search forms include Advanced (default), Boolean, Laws of Florida, Florida Statutes, and Florida Constitution. Search forms will be discussed in more detail in later sections.

: Steps to select a search form

1.      Click          Search Form down arrow.

2.      Select        desired search form.

Exploring Table of Contents (TOC) Frame

The Search & Browse Table-of-Contents (TOC) frame identifies the current search source and provides access to select document collections.

TOC Frame

Search & Browse provides two commands to assist with managing the TOC: reset domain and clear search.

Clicking reset domain removes TOC selections and resets the search range to include all collections in the selected search source. The last search form used redisplays with all search criteria cleared.

Clicking clear search clears search results displayed on the results and doc/results pages, resets the TOC, and restores the check to the left of selected document collections. When a search is initiated using Laws of Florida, Florida Statutes, or Florida Constitution search forms, you are returned to the Advanced Search form.

: Steps to adjust TOC frame

1.      Hover        mouse pointer over right border of frame until pointer changes to horizontal double-headed arrow.

2.      Click          and drag border to desired position.

With Search & Browse, you can browse document collections as opposed to directly searching them. To browse documents, within the TOC frame, you can expand and collapse document collections to reveal sub-documents within a particular document collection. Double-click any sub-document you wish to see and it appears in the document frame (on the right) for your viewing. Once you have a sub-document to view in the document frame, use the Prev Doc and Next Doc buttons on the navigation bar to browse through sub-documents.

: Steps to expand/collapse document collections

Click one of the following:

·         [+] at left of document collection to expand.

·         [-] at left of document collection to collapse.

Exploring Search & Browse User Options

Search & Browse Options allow you to customize how the Table of Contents appears after performing a search. After clicking Options, you can choose to hide or show (default) the number of hits (term(s) found by a search) displayed in the TOC, hide headings in the TOC that have no hits, and synchronize TOC with the current document. Clicking Restore Defaults restores original FAST NXT4 defaults.

NXT 4 Options Page

: Steps to show/hide hits in TOC

1.      Click          options.

2.      Do one of the following:

·         Check        Show hit numbers in the table of contents (after doing a search) to show TOC hits.

·         Uncheck    Show hit numbers in the table of contents (after doing a search) to hide TOC hits.

3.      Click          Save.

4.      Click          search form.

: Steps to hide/show headings with no hits

1.      Click          options.

2.      Do one of the following:

·         Check        Hide headings that have no hits (after doing a search) to hide headings.

·         Uncheck    Hide headings that have no hits (after doing a search) to show headings.

3.      Click          Save.

4.      Click          search form.

: Steps to turn automatic synchronization on/off

1.      Click          options.

2.      Do one of the following:

·         Check        Automatically synchronize table of contents (to current document) to turn synchronization on.

·         Uncheck    Automatically synchronize table of contents (to current document) to turn synchronization off.

3.      Click          Save.

4.      Click          search form.

Section 2:
Searching Document Collections

Introduction

The beauty of Search & Browse lies in the collection of documents available for research. There are many ways to refine your search and sift through these collections to find answers.

Spelling plays an important role as to whether you achieve your desired search results. If your results aren't what you expect, check your spelling in your search query.

Performing Advanced Searches

The Advanced Search form displays on the search form page when Search & Browse opens. From this form you can perform simple and complex searches. In addition to inputting search criteria using different filters, you can also search for alternate word forms (stemming) and synonyms (thesaurus). You can choose to display short, medium, or long excerpt phrases along with your search results.

Advanced Search Form

Searches you perform using the Advanced Search form are not limited to a specific document type. All document collections selected from Search Source can be searched. The table below describes the search action of each query field on the Advanced Search form.

: Steps to search using Advanced Search form

1.      Do one of the following:

·         Launch      Search & Browse.

·         Click          Search Form down arrow and select Advanced.

·         Click          reset domain.

·         Click          clear search.

2.      Type          word(s) or phrase(s) in query field(s).

NOTE: Type an asterisk (*) or question mark (?), if wildcard search is desired.

3.      Check        Find alternate word forms (stemming), if stemming search is desired.

4.      Check        Find synonyms (thesaurus), if synonym search is desired.

Stemming

Including any possible suffixes or other verb tenses to the search word is called “stemming.” Stemming is activated by checking Find alternate word forms (stemming) located at the bottom of the Advanced Search form. This is highly recommended when searching for words that can end with s, es, ed, ing, and have past tenses.

Stemming Option

Synonyms

When searching the document collection in Search & Browse, terminology may be formal, politically correct, gender-neutral, and often not what you think it will be.

Statutory language refers to words and/or phrases used in the Florida Statutes, Laws of Florida, or Florida Constitution. But, you do not have to brainstorm to come up with statutory terminology. Search & Browse provides a customized thesaurus that matches related words when performing a search function.

To search for synonyms, check Find synonyms (thesaurus) located at the bottom of the Advanced Search form, or type “$” after the word you want to search.

Synonyms Option

Wildcards

Wildcards allow you to find words using patterns for a set of words and to find synonyms or various word forms. If stemming does not return a broad enough result, use an asterisk (*) as a wildcard at the end or beginning of a word, or for a portion of a word. For example:

To fill in a missing character, use a question mark as a wildcard at the end, beginning, or anywhere within a portion of a word. This is a replacement wildcard. The number of question marks determines the number of additional characters included in the search. For example:

Performing Boolean Searches

The Boolean Search form allows you to focus your search on more specific terms. Boolean operators allow you to specify words, exclude words, look for words in proximity, search for synonyms or similar words (stemming), or add complex combinations of words to be found during a query. Boolean operators may be represented by words or symbols. The Boolean Search form illustrated below contains examples of syntax used for these types of queries.

Boolean Search Form

: Steps to perform Boolean searches

1.      Click          Search Form down arrow.

2.      Select        Boolean.

3.      Type          words(s) and operators under Query terms.

4.      Click          Search.

Proximity Operators

Proximity operators allow you to specify how close (range) two or more words must be to each other in the same document to return a hit. When adding a range, keep in mind that if you reduce the range dramatically you may receive no matches. Words in proximity searches must be enclosed in quotation marks. Wildcards can be used with proximity searches.

Ordered proximity is used to specify the order in which words must appear within a given range to count as a hit. The ordered proximity operator is the forward slash [ / ].

Unordered proximity is used to specify a set of terms that must appear within a given range in any order. The unordered proximity operator is the “at” [@] symbol.

Searching Florida Statutes

The Florida Statutes are the permanent, compiled laws of the state. They are organized into Chapters, Parts, and Sections. The section is the basic unit of the statutes. Each statute is identified with a decimal number. Digits at the left of the decimal point indicate the chapter number. Digits at the right of the decimal point indicate the section number.

The statutes are updated annually after each regular (or special, if there are any changes) session of the Legislature. Updates reflect changes made by legislation passed since the release of the previous year’s statutes. Sections created by new legislation are integrated into the statutes. Changed sections appear as amended, repealed sections are deleted, and transferred sections appear in their new locations. All other sections carry forward unchanged from the previous year. In other words, the Florida Statutes Documents contain the latest version of every statute section.

The Florida Statutes document collection reflects the organization of the statutes into Chapters, Parts, and Sections. At the beginning of each chapter or part is a list of section numbers with catchlines (subjects) contained in that chapter or part, with a hyperlink to each section. The chapter and part lists are not searchable. Within section documents, cross-references to other statute sections are linked to those sections. Each superscript numeral within a section is linked to an editorial note at the end of the section to which it refers.

Florida Statutes Field Search Form

The Florida Statutes Field Search form allows you to query specific parts of a Statutes document. Word Wheels are also available to assist with selecting specific numeric values and words for your query.

Florida Statutes Field Search Form

A Florida Statutes document has four searchable fields:

Word Wheel

A Word Wheel contains a list of every word in a field. The list is in alphabetical order, with numbers appearing first. For example, when you search the Catchline field of the Florida Statutes, the Word Wheel provides a list of section numbers in numerical order.

Word Wheel

: Steps to search by Florida Statutes field

1.      Click          Search Form down arrow.

2.      Select        Florida Statutes.

3.      Do one of the following:

·         Type          portion of or complete number or word in a field (Catchline, Section Body, History, or Notes).

·         Type          portion of number or word in a field and select desired number or word from Word Wheel.

·         Scroll         through field Word Wheel and double-click desired number or word.

4.      Click          Search Now.

NOTE: Advanced Search search form is displayed when clear search is clicked after displaying search results initiated from this form.

Searching Laws of Florida

The Laws of Florida are a compilation of all Chapter Laws, Resolutions, and Memorials passed during a legislative session. The Laws of Florida are divided into two broad categories—General Laws and Special and Local Laws.

The Laws of Florida are published after each session (regular or special) of the Florida Legislature. They contain all laws passed during regular session and at any special session since the previous year’s publication.

Laws of Florida Field Search Form

The Laws of Florida Field Search form allows you to query specific parts of a Law document. Word Wheels assist with selecting specific numeric values and words for your query.

Laws of Florida Field Search Form

A Laws of Florida document has five searchable fields:

NOTE: The enacting clause of each law is not searchable.

: Steps to search by Laws of Florida field

1.      Click          Search Form down arrow.

2.      Select        Laws of Florida.

3.      Do one of the following:

·         Type          beginning portion of number or word in a field (Law Title, Bill Number, Law Body, Additions, or Deletions).

·         Type          portion of number or word in a field and select desired number or word from Word Wheel.

·         Scroll         through Word Wheel. Double-click desired number or word.

4.      Click          Search Now.

NOTE: Advanced Search search form is displayed when clear search is clicked after displaying search results initiated from this form.

Searching Florida Constitution

The Constitution of the State of Florida defines the basic powers and structure of state government. The document collection is divided into articles and sections.

Florida Constitution Field Search Form

The Florida Constitution Field Search form allows you to query specific parts of the Florida Constitution. Word Wheels assist with selecting specific numeric values and words for your query.

Florida Constitution Field Search Form

The Florida Constitution has four searchable fields:

NOTE: Article title documents are not searchable.

: Steps to search by Florida Constitution field

1.      Click          Search Form down arrow.

2.      Select        Florida Constitution.

3.      Do one of the following:

·         Type          portion of or complete number or word in a field (Catchline, Section Body, History, or Notes).

·         Type          portion of number or word in a field and select desired number or word from Word Wheel.

·         Scroll         through Word Wheel. Double-click desired number or word.

4.      Click          Search Now.

NOTE: Advanced Search search form is displayed when clear search is clicked after displaying search results initiated from this form.

Section 3:
Searching Indexes and Tables

Introduction

In addition to the full text of the Florida Statutes, Laws of Florida, and Florida Constitution, indexes to these collections are available. Subjects are linked to sections in the Florida Statutes, chapter laws in the Laws of Florida, or articles and sections in the Florida Constitution.

To assist with research, four tables are provided. The first is the Tracing Table, which maps the provisions of the Laws of Florida into the Florida Statutes.

The second table is the Table of Section Changes. This table lists which sections of the Florida Statutes have changed, the nature of the change, and which law caused the change.

The third table is the Cross References Table, which lists all cross-references to statute sections and the locations of the cross-references. It is ordered by the section referred to. The list of cross-references includes references down to the subparagraph level.

The last table is the Repealed and Transferred Sections Table. This table lists all section numbers that have been removed from the Florida Statutes through the current Regular Session either by repeal or by transfer to another location. The table lists whether a section was repealed or transferred; if transferred, its new location and the law responsible for transfer are also shown.

Searching Indexes

Each index is divided into letters and main headings. References to statutes are linked to statute sections in the Florida Statutes. References to laws are linked to those chapter laws in the Laws of Florida document collection. References to articles and sections are linked to the Florida Constitution document collection. Internal cross-references are linked to main headings within the index.

The Florida Statutes Index and the Florida Constitution Index use the same searchable fields as the Laws of Florida Index.

: Steps to search Florida Statutes Index

1.      Click                [+] at left of 2009 Statutory Revision Documents, if necessary.

2.      Do one of the following:

·         Check        Statutes Index to select all indexes.

·         Click          [+] at left of Statutes Index and select desired index.

3.      Do one of the following:

·         Click          [+] at left of desired index and click desired title hyperlink.

·         Verify        Advanced Search form is displayed, type search term in desired query field, and click Search.

: Steps to search Laws of Florida Index

1.      Click                [+] at left of 2009 Statutory Revision Documents, if necessary.

2.      Do one of the following:

·         Check        Laws Index to select all indexes.

·         Click          [+] at left of Laws Index and select desired index.

3.      Do one of the following:

·         Click          [+] at left of desired index and click desired title hyperlink.

·         Verify        Advanced Search form is displayed, type search term in desired query field, and click Search.

: Steps to search Florida Constitution Index

1.      Click          [+] at left of 2009 Statutory Revision Documents, if necessary.

2.      Do one of the following:

·         Check        Florida Constitution Index to select all indexes.

·         Click          [+] at left of Florida Constitution Index and select desired index.

3.      Do one of the following:

·         Click          [+] at left of desired index and click desired title hyperlink.

·         Verify        Advanced Search form is displayed, type search term in desired query field, and click Search.

Searching Tables

Florida Statutes Tracing Table

The Tracing Table traces provisions of the Laws of Florida into the Florida Statutes. This table lists each law, each section within the law, and the section or sections of the Florida Statutes that the law creates or amends. Statute section numbers are linked to those sections in the Florida Statutes document collection. If a section number is not linked, that section no longer appears in the statutes. Law numbers are linked to those laws in the Laws of Florida document collection.

Florida Statutes Tracing Table

: Steps to search Florida Statutes Tracing Table

1.      Click          [+] at left of 2009 Statutory Revision Documents, if necessary.

2.      Do one of the following:

·         Check        Tracing Table to select all chapters.

·         Click          [+] at left of Tracing Table and check desired chapter.

3.      Verify        Advanced Search form is displayed.

4.      Type          search term in desired query field.

5.      Do one of the following:

·         Click          Search.

·         Press          [Enter].

: Steps to access Florida Statutes Tracing Table chapters

1.      Click          [+] at left of 2009 Statutory Revision Documents, if necessary.

2.      Click          [+] at left of Tracing Table.

3.      Click          desired Tracing Table chapter law hyperlink.

Florida Statutes Table of Section Changes

The Florida Statutes Table of Section Changes shows which sections of the Florida Statutes have changed, the nature of the change, and which law made the change. Statutes section numbers are linked to those sections in the Florida Statutes document collection. If a section number is not linked, that section no longer appears in the statutes. Law numbers are linked to those laws in the Laws of Florida document collection.

Florida Statutes Table of Section Changes

: Steps to search Florida Statutes Table of Section Changes

1.      Click          [+] at left of 2009 Statutory Revision Documents, if necessary.

2.      Do one of the following:

·         Check        Table of Section Changes to select all chapters.

·         Click          [+] at left of Table of Section Changes and check desired chapter.

3.      Verify        Advanced Search form is displayed.

4.      Type          search term in desired query field.

5.      Do one of the following:

·         Click          Search.

·         Press          [Enter].

: Steps to access Florida Statutes Table of Section Changes chapters

1.      Click          [+] at left of 2009 Statutory Revision Documents, if necessary.

2.      Click          [+] at left of Table of Section Changes.

3.      Click          desired Table of Section Changes Chapters hyperlink.

7 Statutes Cross Reference Table

The Cross References Table lists all cross-references to statute sections and the locations of the cross-references, listed by the section referred to. Cross references include references down to the subparagraph level.

Florida Statutes Cross Reference Table

: Steps to search Florida Statutes Cross Reference Table

1.      Click          [+] at left of 2009 Statutory Revision Documents, if necessary.

2.      Do one of the following:

·         Check        Cross Reference Table to select all chapter cross references.

·         Click          [+] at left of Cross Reference Table and check desired chapter cross references.

3.      Verify        Advanced Search form is displayed.

4.      Type          search term in desired query field.

5.      Do one of the following:

·         Click          Search.

·         Press          [Enter].

:Steps to access Florida Statutes Cross Reference chapters

1.      Click          [+] at left of 2009 Statutory Revision Documents, if necessary.

2.      Click          [+] at left of Cross Reference Table.

3.      Click          desired chapter Cross-references hyperlink.

Repealed and Transferred Sections Table

This table is valuable to anyone unable to find a particular section number in the current statutes. The table indicates whether the section was repealed or transferred to another section. With a few exceptions from the distant past, a section number, once removed, is not used again.

Florida Statutes Repealed and Transferred Section Table

: Steps to search Florida Statutes Repealed and Transferred Sections Table

1.      Click          [+] at left of 2009 Statutory Revision Documents, if necessary.

2.      Do one of the following:

·         Check        Repealed and Transferred Sections Table to select all chapters.

·         Click          [+] at left of Repealed and Transferred Sections Table and check desired chapter.

3.      Verify        Advanced Search form is displayed.

4.      Type          search term in desired query field.

5.      Do one of the following:

·         Click          Search.

·         Press          [Enter].

:Steps to search Florida Statutes Repealed and Transferred Sections chapters

1.      Click          [+] at left of 2009 Statutory Revision Documents, if necessary.

2.      Click          [+] at left of Repealed and Transferred Sections Table.

3.      Click          desired chapter Cross-references hyperlink.

Section 4:
Browsing Search Results

Introduction

With Search & Browse, you can browse document collections and search results, as opposed to directly searching individual documents.

Exploring the Results Page

Search results display in table format on the results page. Hyperlinks in the Title column allow you to open the returned document for browsing. The Location and Catchline columns identify each returned document. Document Excerpts allow you to show or hide document excerpts. This option displays 5 (Short), 10 (Medium), or 25 (Long) words before and after your query term.

Working with Document Navigation Tools

The document page displays document content resulting from your search. Similarly, the doc/results page displays both document content and the search results frame.

Document Page

Doc/results Page

Located above the document content is the Document toolbar. This toolbar consists of icons that allow you to browse documents and document collections, synchronize document content with the TOC, clear highlighted hits, display current document references, and print a document. The Document toolbar is found only on the document and doc/results pages.

Document Toolbar

Document navigation tools allow you to easily browse document content.

·         Prev Match and Next Match allow you to navigate back and forth through hits within the document you are currently browsing.

·         Prev Hit Doc and Next Hit Doc allow you to navigate back and forth through search source documents that contain hits.

·         Prev Doc and Next Doc allow you to navigate through all search source documents within the TOC, even if they do not contain a hit.

Viewing Reference Information

Located at the top of the document frame is the Results for and Reference panel.

Results for and Reference Panel

·         Results for identifies the query type and query term.

·         Reference identifies the current document returned from
Prev Hit Doc or Next Hit Doc.

Because reference information in the Results for and Reference panel only displays references of documents with hits, Search & Browse provides another method to determine reference information. By clicking Reference on the Document toolbar, you can easily identify the document you are currently browsing. When clicked, the Reference information window appears.

Reference Icon

Reference Window

This feature is especially useful when browsing documents that do not contain hits or when browsing beyond the first page of a document.

: Steps to display Reference window

1.      Verify        document or doc/results page is open.

2.      Click          Reference on Document toolbar.

3.      Click          Close button to close window.

Printing Search Results

Printing may be done from the Document toolbar. Because Search & Browse utilizes Internet Explorer’s print facility, you can print all or individual frame contents. Simply click the Print icon on the Document toolbar, and the Print dialog box appears. If you are unsure about what will print, preview it before printing.

Document Toolbar Print Icon

Print Dialog Box

: Steps to print selected frame

1.      Click          in document or frame to print.

2.      Do one of the following:

·         Click          Print on Document toolbar.

·         Select        File, Print from Internet Explorer menu.

·         Rt-click     document frame and select Print.

·         Press          [Ctrl+P].

3.      Select        desired printer from Select Printer list, if necessary.

4.      Select        Options tab.

5.      Verify        Only the selected frame is selected under Print frames.

6.      Click          Print.

: Steps to print screen as seen

1.      Click          in document to print.

2.      Do one of the following:

·         Click          Print on Document toolbar.

·         Select        File, Print from Internet Explorer menu.

·         Rt-click     document frame and select Print.

·         Press          [Ctrl+P].

3.      Select        desired printer from Select Printer list, if necessary.

4.      Select        Options tab.

5.      Select        As laid out on screen under Print frames.

6.      Click          Print.

: Steps to print all frames individually

1.      Do one of the following:

·         Click          Print on Document toolbar.

·         Select        File, Print from Internet Explorer menu.

·         Rt-click     document frame and select Print.

·         Press          [Ctrl+P].

2.      Select        desired printer from Select Printer list, if necessary.

3.      Select        Options tab.

4.      Select        All frames individually under Print frames.

5.      Click          Print.

: Steps to preview search results

1.      Select        File, Print Preview from Internet Explorer menu.

2.      Click          Select Content down arrow and select a different option, if desired.

3.      Click          Print or Close.

Clearing Hit Highlights

To clear hit highlights within the document frame, simply click the Clear Highlights icon on the Document toolbar. This feature is useful when you desire to print a document without highlights.

Clear Highlights Icon

: Steps to clear hit highlights

Click                Clear Highlights on Document toolbar.

Synchronizing Contents

Synchronizing the TOC allows you to quickly identify the current hit document within the document collection. You can set this feature to execute automatically or you can initiate it by clicking Sync Contents on the Document toolbar.

Options Window

Synchronize Contents Icon

: Steps to synchronize contents for current search

1.      Verify        document or doc/results page contains document content.

2.      Click          Sync Contents on Document toolbar.

Saving and Managing Search Results

Saving your search query results allows you to reuse common search syntax. If a specific search locates the information you need, saving the search makes it easier to find the same content the next time you need to search for the information. You can save as many search results as you want. Search & Browse stores saved search results as part of your user preferences. NOTE: Saved search results are saved as cookies; if you clear cookies, your saved searches results will be cleared as well.

: Steps to save search results

1.      Scroll         to end of search results on the results page or doc/results page.

2.      Type          desired name for search results in Save search as text box.

3.      Click          save.

Managing Search Results

Clicking the Manage Saved Searches link, located at the bottom of the Results page, opens the Manage Saved Searches window providing access to your saved searches. Buttons provided on this window allow you to rename a saved search, or delete one or all saved searches.

Manage Saved Searches Window

: Steps to rename or delete one saved search results

1.      Do one of the following:

·         Click          Saved Search down arrow and select desired saved search.

·         Select        results or doc/results page.

2.      Scroll         to end of page.

3.      Click          Manage Saved Searches.

4.      Select        desired saved search.

5.      Do one of the following:

·         Click          Delete.

·         Type          another name for search and click Rename.

6.      Click          Exit.

: Steps to delete all saved search results

1.      Do one of the following:

·         Click          Saved Search down arrow and select desired saved search.

·         Select        results or doc/results page.

2.      Scroll         to end of page.

3.      Click          Manage Saved Searches.

4.      Click          Delete All.

5.      Click          Exit.