Keyword search
This might be the default way to use a search engine. Simply enter one or more keywords and the search engine will return all pages that contain either all keywords (AND query) or at least one keyword (OR query). You can predefine the query type in the module configuration or you can change it dynamically by adding a checkbox named "query_type" to the search form.
Wildcard search
By default, the search engine searches for exact keywords only. This means that a search for music will not return pages containing the words musical or musician. However, if you want to search for all words that begin with music, you can add an asterisk (*) after the keyword (music* instead of music). Of course, you can also put the wildcard in front of a keyword or in the middle of a keyword.
Phrase search
Sometimes you only need results that include an exact phrase. E.g. searching for school life would return lots of pages. To narrow your results, simply put quotation marks around your search term ("school life" instead of school life) and the search engine will only return pages that contain the exact phrase.
Forcing a keyword
This feature is particularly useful when you are searching for multiple keyword (OR query) but still want ensure that a page contains a certain keyword. To force a keyword, put a plus (+) in front of it (without space). E.g. if you want to know about teaching methods for foundation stage and classes, you are basically looking for pages that contain either the word foundation or classes and the word methods. Therefor your search term should be class foundation +methods.
Excluding a keyword
To exclude a keyword, put a minus (-) in front of it. Thus, pages containing this keyword will not be returned. E.g. if you want to learn everything about IBIS has nothing to do with its curriculum or its classes, you should search for "IBIS" -curriculum -classes.