A Product of William S. Hein & Co., Inc.
Search
Close this search box.

Tip of the Week: Performing a Venn Diagram Search

2 MIN READ

Venn Diagrams show all possible logical relations among a set of terms, with each term typically represented by a circle. The circles in a Venn Diagram overlap to show how and where the terms intersect.

With the Venn Diagram search in HeinOnline, researchers can visualize the results yield of various keywords to better refine their searches. Users can not only search with the Venn Diagram within one database, but they can also use it to refine their searches across all subscribed databases. This feature saves valuable time and effort, eliminating the need to continuously switch databases and/or edit a search.

In addition, this feature is a valuable teaching tool for guiding students and other budding researchers. Using the Venn Diagram can help students learn how best to structure a search by visualizing the power of various keyword combinations.

Learn how to use the feature in this short guide, or watch the brief video below.

Try a Venn Diagram Search in HeinOnline

To use the Venn Diagram feature in HeinOnline, navigate to the Advanced Search on the HeinOnline welcome page or in any HeinOnline database. For this example, we’ll use the Law Journal Library.

Select the Venn Diagram Search button located within the Law Journal Library’s Advanced Search feature.

Law Journal Library advanced search screenshot

Users are redirected to a page with a search bar, instructions for its use, and a few example searches. From here, simply search for multiple terms separated with the Boolean operator “AND.”

HeinOnline search with boolean operators

A Venn Diagram appears, illustrating the various combinations of your terms and their respective results yield throughout the Law Journal Library. The original search combining all three terms appears by default, represented by the red intersection of all three circles.

Venn Diagram search results

Click on any portion of the diagram to see its respective search results.

Venn Diagram search results

Select the Clear hyperlink for the ability to hover over pieces of the diagram, and see a preview of all possible search term combinations.

Note: Standard search options—sorting, MyHein links, and more—all function within the Venn Diagram search as they do in a basic full-text search in HeinOnline.

Follow Us to Stay in the Know

Keep checking back with us for new tips and tricks! Subscribe to the HeinOnline Blog or follow us on our social media channels.

You Might Also Like
image of college students on a bench looking at a laptop
Tips and Tricks
HeinOnline Hacks: 5 Essential Tools for the New Semester

Let’s look at some of the coolest tools in HeinOnline that’ll simplify your research this semester. From AI magic to hidden little features you didn’t even know existed, we have five hacks to keep you ahead of the game!

image of college students on a bench looking at a laptop
Tips and Tricks
HeinOnline Hacks: 5 Essential Tools for the New Semester

Let’s look at some of the coolest tools in HeinOnline that’ll simplify your research this semester. From AI magic to hidden little features you didn’t even know existed, we have five hacks to keep you ahead of the game!

photo of hands on a laptop keyboard with a cup of coffee in the foreground
Tips and Tricks
5 Steps to Get the Most Out of HeinOnline in the New Year

Let’s cover the basics so that you can feel confident navigating the HeinOnline platform and finding the sources you need to tackle any assignment, from a class project to your final exam!

laptop on a desk with jack-o-lanterns, cobwebs, and spooky lights
Behind the Bindings
Behind the Bindings: Tricks and Treats in the Law Journal Library

Did you know you can find ghosts, goblins, and ghouls year-round right within HeinOnline’s Law Journal Library? If you want a research session that will send shivers down your spine, we’ve conjured up some spooktacular searching tips sure to fright.

Like what you see?

There’s plenty more where that came from! Subscribe to the HeinOnline Blog to receive posts like these right to your inbox.

By entering your email, you agree to receive great content from the HeinOnline Blog. HeinOnline also uses the information you provide to contact you about other content, products, and services we think you’ll love.

Like what you're reading? Subscribe to the blog!

https://www.traditionrolex.com/24