Research Hack: Boolean and/or/not Bust

RESEARCH HACK: 
BOOLEAN AND/OR/NOT BUST

If you have conducted a search within a database, chances are you have used Boolean operators, whether you knew it or not. 

Basic Boolean operators, which are the words "and", "or" and "not", are used in a search inquiry to broaden or narrow your search. Using these terms in specific ways, along with key search terms for your area of study, will help you focus your search and connect various search terms to help you find exactly what you are searching.

Let's break it down by each operator.

AND

Using the operator "AND" will narrow your search. This is because you are giving a search command that implies you only want search results that include all of your search terms together in the results.

For example, you search: cat AND rapper

In the diagram below, the yellow represents all the results that came back that contain both of those search terms.
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND: 
  • Sometimes the "and" is implied - In many databases the "and" is implied and automatically inserted in between your search terms. 
  • All search terms will be included in your results, but may not be connected - Use phrases to be more specific in your searches. To do so, put quotation marks around the search term phrases. For example, you may want to try the search:  
cat and "rap music"


OR

Using the operator "OR" will broaden your search. This is because this search command will bring back results that include any of your search terms, whether together or separate, in your search results. Using the "OR" operator can also help you connect similar concepts in your search inquiry.

For example, you search: cat OR rapper OR "hip hop"

In the diagram below, the yellow represents all the results that came back containing the search terms, whether found together in a result or separately. 


NOT

Using the operator "NOT" will narrow your search. This is because you are giving a search command to exclude a certain term in your search.  

For example, you search: cat NOT rapper

In the diagram below, the yellow represents the search results that came back only containing the search term "cat" and excluding all results that contain the term "rapper". 



You can mix and match!

You can mix and match Boolean operators in your searches. To do so, put parenthesis around your search terms you want to "OR". For example:

cat and (rapper or "hip hop") 

We hope that basic Boolean Operator breakdown will help improve your database searching techniques. As always, come see your librarians for help if you are still having trouble finding the results you are seeking. 

Finally, here is your reward for learning about Boolean Operators: 
a cat rapper!

Enjoy!!












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