Advanced Search

The advanced search section of the ITSERR – uBIQUITY platform allows the user to define in detail the criteria with which the system queries the different linguistic corpora. The interface is designed to offer the researcher full control over query modes, while maintaining an intuitive approach.

The main available configuration parameters and tools are the following:

Each field can be set individually or in combination with others, allowing complex and targeted queries.

Structure of filters according to the selected corpus:

Greek / Latin corpus

• Comparison Criteria
• Compare (To text / To text and apparatus)
• Scriptures and Authors
• Geography
• Chronology

Arabic corpus

• Comparison Criteria
• Sources and Authors
• Geography
• Chronology

In addition to the main parameters, the platform provides a set of linguistic criteria that determine the nature of the textual correspondences to be searched. The Comparison Criteria define how the engine interprets the text entered in the Search Box and allow searches based on exact matches, inflected forms, roots, synonyms, and semantic structures.

For a complete description of the criteria, see section 3.4 – Comparison Criteria Legend.

Logical operators

Comparison criteria can be combined with logical operators to perform more articulated queries:

• AND → both terms must be present
• OR → at least one term must be present
• NOT → excludes results containing a specific term

Example:

terra AND lumen NOT aqua

returns all results that contain “terra” and “lumen” but not “aqua”.

This function is particularly useful for comparative or philological studies on complex texts.

After configuring the desired parameters, the user starts the search by clicking the “Search” button, located at the bottom or top of the panel depending on the display mode.

The process includes:

• automatic validation of the completed fields;
• submission of the query to the internal search engine;
• waiting during processing, with a visible progress bar;
• display of results in a new output window.

During processing, the user can:

• interrupt the search using the “Cancel” button;
• modify the parameters and relaunch the query;
• save the current parameters for future use (via the Save Flow option).

The search engine uses a semantic indexing system, optimized for comparing texts in different languages and for recognizing lexical variants.

The advanced search section includes two additional functional controls:

Reset Restores the fields to their initial state, removing entered terms and filters. It is useful when setting up a new search from scratch without interference from previous configurations.

Save Configuration / Save Flow Allows saving the current configuration (language, filters, criteria, and terms) as a reusable workflow. Each saved configuration is stored in the authenticated user’s database, ensuring parameter persistence over time.

Saving generates a unique record that can be reloaded at any time from the “Flows” window or exported as a file for sharing with other users.

When the query contains a single term, the platform activates additional functionalities designed for linguistic and statistical analysis of the searched word. This mode differs from searches for phrases or complex expressions, as it allows access to dedicated views and advanced tools.

Multi-term search

The platform displays only the List view of the results, together with the Compare button (disabled until 1 to 3 results are selected). Single-term search

In addition to the List view, the following become available:

• Word Frequency (occurrence graph over time)
• Dictionary (lemma, morphology, definition)

These functions are visible in the toolbar in the upper-right area of the results section.

This view lists results as in traditional (multi-term) search.

It is possible to:

• read the result context;
• consult source, work, and reference;
• select up to 3 results for Compare.

The Word Frequency view displays a temporal graph representing the distribution of word occurrences across centuries.

• the Y-axis indicates the number of occurrences;
• the X-axis represents the historical period (e.g. III BCE, II BCE, I CE, etc.).

This view allows observation of the evolution of term usage over the history of the selected corpus.

The Dictionary view provides a complete linguistic record related to the searched word.

The available fields include:

• Lemma
• Morphology (morphological analysis)
• Definition (semantic definition of the word)

The content of this record varies depending on the term and the selected language.

If the initial search consists of a phrase and the user enters the Compare mode, it is possible to obtain the definition of a single word in the text through a dedicated interaction.

Procedure:

• perform a search with multiple terms;
• select a single word in the text;
• click the dictionary icon.
• the platform opens a modal window containing:
  • lemma
  • morphology
  • definition

This function allows analysis of the meaning of a term directly within the comparative context.

The magnifying glass icon is not present only in Compare mode. It also appears during normal result navigation in the following situations:

• in Browsing mode, within the Single Context Page View, accessible by clicking the title of a search result;
• within Compare, where it is displayed next to each selectable word.

In both modes, clicking the icon triggers a new search based on the selected word.

Before proceeding, user confirmation is required, as the operation involves creating a new Flow, preventing the current one from being accidentally overwritten. This behavior ensures protection of the current session data.

Within Single Search and Compare mode, selecting a word in the text opens a contextual menu that also includes the icon dedicated to notes (💬).

By clicking the Notes icon, the platform allows adding a personal annotation related to the selected term.

Operation

• the user selects a single word in the text;
• in the contextual menu, clicks the Notes icon;
• a dedicated window opens where it is possible to:
  • insert a new note;
  • edit or delete existing notes;
  • consult annotations previously added on the same term within the current Flow;
• the note is saved in the active Flow, so that it can be retrieved in a subsequent session.