Databases 101: How to Search Effectively

Applying Boolean Operators:

Boolean operators are set terms (AND, OR, or NOT) used in database logic that serve as connecting words to combine keywords when searching in databases. They are helpful for focusing your search efforts, and can be used to expand or narrow down your search results. Look at the following example of how the Boolean Operators can help your search.

• Using AND will ensure that each word typed is found in the search. In the example both coronavirus and vaccine must be found for an article to be shown. 
  • When you do not use any Boolean Operators, AND is assumed between each word that you type. 
• Using OR means that either word is acceptable for the search. Use this when there are similar terms that will give you the results you need, such as coronavirus or COVID-19 in this case. 
• Using NOT eliminates terms that you do not want in your search that may be related to this word. In this example we want articles about coronavirus but not the vaccine. 

Phrase Searching:

When searching databases, placing quotation marks around certain keywords can help you retrieve more precise results. The quotation marks show that this is a phrase, rather than two words with the assumed Boolean Operator AND. Look at this example:

Searching for motion pictures gives over 365,000 results. But look at the same search with quotation marks. 

By adding the quotation marks, you have cut down your results dramatically so that there are about a third of the results. It also ensures that you are getting the term you are searching for rather than the two words separately throughout the article.