While different databases might have slight differences in their use of these terms, the goal is always the same: the more thorough your search string, the more relevant your search results will be, which saves you the time of looking through articles you know you don't want.
Boolean Operators |
Terms that connect keywords to make a search more efficient. |
AND |
Results that include both concept A and concept Bex: [strawberry AND banana] |
NOTAND NOT |
Results of concept A except those that include concept Bex: [strawberry NOT banana] Some databases (like Scopus) prefer AND NOT |
OR |
The results of all of concept A and all of concept Bex: [strawberry OR banana] |
Search Modifiers |
Other useful things to use when searching. |
Word stems |
Wildcard: ?
|
Phrase |
"Exact phrase"Also known as "bound phrase". Brings back the term or title within the quotations. ex: "strawberry smoothie" |
Parentheses |
(concept A OR concept B) AND concept CUse parentheses to expand your search string and include more terms. ex: (strawberry OR banana) AND smoothie |
Let's say you're looking for information on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in the military and the ethical implications thereof. You have a few keywords here:
You also have a number of synonyms or alternative forms of the words:
Use asterisks to open up a word to single/plural, and use quotes to get the exact term:
("unmanned aerial vehicle*" OR drone*)
=40,620 results in OneSearch (libraries worldwide; 5,396 in Stevens)
Refine by adding the topic of military, opening that to the use of military or defense:
(("unmanned aerial vehicle*" OR drone) AND (militar* OR defense))
=8,832 results in OneSearch (libraries worldwide; 596 in Stevens)
Include the ethical issues of UAVs in defense:
((("unmanned aerial vehicle*" OR drone) AND (militar* OR defense)) AND ethic*)
=381 results (libraries worldwide; 46 in Stevens)
Remember: as in math, the placement of parentheses can change the outcome!