Database Search Tips

Boolean Searching

Boolean searching is the most powerful way to use modern databases.

“Boolean Operators” are words and punctuation that allow for very specific searches. They work in all library databases and many other places as well, including Google.

” ” (quotation marks around words) indicates that you are looking for an exact phrase of two or more words.

AND (when put between search terms) indicates that you want both terms to appear in your results. This narrows your search.

OR (when put between search terms) indicates that you will accept either one term or the other in your results. This broadens your search.

NOT (when placed before a word) indicates that you do not want to see any results that include a certain word.