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Quick Study Guide that describes how to conduct a Boolean search in library databases

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What is Boolean Searching?

Boolean searching is a type of advanced search technique used in information retrieval, particularly in databases and search engines. It involves using Boolean operators—AND, OR, and NOT—to refine and specify search queries.

  • AND: When you use "AND" between two keywords, it narrows your search and retrieves results that include both terms. For example, "cats AND dogs" would return results containing information about both cats and dogs.

  • OR: "OR" broadens your search, retrieving results that include either of the specified terms. For instance, "cats OR dogs" would return results about cats, results about dogs, and results about both.

  • NOT: "NOT" excludes specific terms from your search results. If you search for "cats NOT dogs," you'll get results about cats but exclude any that mention dogs.

By combining these Boolean operators, users can create more precise and tailored search queries to find the information they need effectively.

Boolean Searching

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