This page has moved here: http://otis.libguides.com/infolit/research_strategies
Please update your links.
"Computers are useless. They can only give you answers." --Pablo Picasso
Computerized search mechanisms are based on Boolean logic. When you use the enter code words known as boolean operators you are telling the computer exactly how to perform a search which will be tailored to your specific needs.
The most commonly used code words are: AND, OR, and NOT. The phrase you enter into a search box is called the search string (or syntax)
Here are some diagrams to help explain the effects of these operators.
AND |
Possible search strings (or syntax): cats AND dogs Some search engines use a plus (+) sign instead of the word AND. +Cats +dogs |
![]()
|
OR |
Possible search strings (or syntax): films OR movies OR motion pictures
|
![]()
|
NOT |
Possible search string (syntax): dolphins NOT football Some search engines use the minus sign (-) instead of the word NOT. +Dolphins -football |
![]() |
Different search engines incorporate Boolean logic in different ways, but they all use it. Some assume AND, some OR. It is important to read the instructions for each search engine before entering your search terms. Info People publishes a nice search engine comparison guide which shows the differences in Boolean syntax used in the different engines: http://infopeople.org/search/chart.html
The use of quotation marks or parenthesis around phrases is a handy device to cause the computer to search for the exact phrase. For instance:
- "American Beauty"
- "computer graphics artist"
- (motion pictures)