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

• Use AND to NARROW your search results.
• Use AND to connect the DIFFERENT concepts of your search.

*

• Use the+ symbol to include word(s):
  "chocolate chip cookies" +pecans
• This operator is similar to the common search engine option, "SEARCH ALL WORDS."

OR

• Use OR to EXPAND your search results.
• Use OR to combine the synonyms and other terms related to a specific concept (e.g. vitamins or nutritional supplements).

*

• This operator is similar to the common search engine option, "SEARCH ANY WORDS".

NOT

• Use NOT to REMOVE/EXCLUDE concepts from your search results.
• CAUTION: NOT may also remove records containing the concept(s) that you want, if they also contain the concept that you don't want.
  

*

• Use the- symbol to exclude word(s):
  "chocolate chip cookies" -pecans

* Images courtesy of Monash University Library.