Search engines like Google allow you to type a question or sentences directly into the search box. This won’t work in the library databases or catalog. Instead, you must learn to use Keywords, Phrase Searching, and Boolean Search Terms. Boolean terms are the words AND, OR, & NOT. They are used either to narrow or broaden the pool of results. Boolean terms usually appear in all uppercase letters to distinguish them from the keywords. Some search tools require capitalized Boolean terms.
PHRASE SEARCHING
Enclose phrases, proper names, and titles with quotations marks. Adding quotations signals the search engine, database, or library catalog to search for the phrase, as opposed to the individual words.
Examples:
American dream --> “American dream”
Affordable Care Act --> “Affordable Care Act”
Hunter S. Thompson --> “Hunter S. Thompson”
BOOLEAN SEARCH TERM "AND"
Use AND to connect keywords and narrow your results. Select a keyword for each separate concept in your thesis, and then connect them with AND. Remember, every time you add a word you narrow your search and receive fewer results. If you have too few results, eliminate keywords or substitute others.
Examples:
“American Dream” AND immigration
"American dream" AND immigration AND poverty
“American Dream” AND "LGBTQ millennials"
Click on the link below to download a complete guide to using Boolean Search Terms.
