The key to being a savvy online searcher is to use common search techniques that you can apply to almost any database, including article databases, online catalogs and even commercial search engines.
This is important because searching library databases is a bit different from searching Google.
The techniques described in this section will enable you to quickly retrieve relevant information from the thousands of records in a database.
When you search a database and do not get the results you expect, Ask a Librarian or make a research appointment for advice. Librarians are happy to help you find what you need.
Boolean operators form the basis of mathematical sets and database logic.
Why use Boolean operators?
Boolean Operator: Search Order
Databases follow commands you type in and return results based on those commands. Be aware of the logical order in which words are connected when using Boolean operators:
Examples:
Truncation, also called stemming, is a technique that broadens your search to include various word endings and spellings.
Wildcards:
Similar to truncation, wildcards substitute a symbol for one letter of a word.
Use AND in a search to:
The purple triangle in the middle of the Venn diagram below represents the result set for this search. It is a small set using AND, the combination of all three search words.
Be aware: In many, but not all, databases, the AND is implied.
Use OR in a search to:
All three circles represent the result set for this search. It is a big set because any of those words are valid using the OR operator.
Use NOT in a search to:
Loyola University Chicago Libraries
Cudahy Library · 1032 W. Sheridan Rd., Chicago, IL 60660 · 773.508.2632
Lewis Library · 25 E. Pearson St., Chicago, IL 60611 · 312.915.6622
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