Boolean Searching
Boolean operators act like connectors and link the concepts of your web search in a meaningful way, so you retrieve results that will be useful.
AND
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Use AND to NARROW your search results.
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Use AND to connect the DIFFERENT concepts of your search.
*
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Use the+ symbol to include word(s):
"chocolate chip cookies" +pecans
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This operator is similar to the common search engine option, "SEARCH ALL WORDS."
OR
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Use OR to EXPAND your search results.
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Use OR to combine the synonyms and other terms related to a specific concept (e.g. vitamins or nutritional supplements).
*
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This operator is similar to the common search engine option, "SEARCH ANY WORDS".
NOT
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Use NOT to REMOVE/EXCLUDE concepts from your search results.
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CAUTION: NOT may also remove records containing the concept(s) that you want, if they also contain the concept that you don't want.
*
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Use the- symbol to exclude word(s):
"chocolate chip cookies" -pecans
* Images courtesy of Monash University Library.
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