Boolean - Part I - EMPOWER - Module 3 - Building Search Strategies

Search Fields are More Powerful With...

Boolean Operators...

Computer-Readable
Natural Language Operators/Commands
Link Search Terms together
Include:
- AND
- OR
- NOT

AND...

Narrows Search Results
Retrieves results with only all typed words
Is the default between words even when not typed

Example: If a student types global warming into a database search field, the results will automatically search as though they typed global AND warming.

OR...

Broadens Search Results
Best used with synonyms, related words, and different spellings

Example: If a student searches for global warming OR air pollution they will retrieve many more related results from the database.

NOT...

Limits a search by removing results that use specific words
In search engines (Google, Bing), use the minus sign (-) instead
- i.e. -.com will remove all commercial websites

Example: Global warming NOT air pollution will only retrieve results with global warming. No records with air pollution will appear.

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