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Writing 110-001 (Devrick)

How to Search

You can use these basic search techniques with almost any search interface -- from library catalogs, to search engines, to library databases!

Searching is as easy as 1, 2, 3!

1. AND OR, and NOT (Boolean Operators/Operadores Lógicos)

Boolean Operators are also sometimes called Logical Operators and they perform specific functions to your search. Not all databases require the use of AND and OR in capital letters, but we recommend that you use them in all caps as a habit. 

AND narrows your searchNoun Project icon of a Venn diagram showing overlap in the middle of two circles symbolizing where they appear together

Use AND in between different concepts to ensure these different concepts appear together in your search results. The Venn diagram to the right represents the idea of the search results occurring ONLY in the narrow place where the two concepts overlap. 

  • EXAMPLE: Music AND cows AND psychology

OR broadens your searchNoun Project icon showing two overlapping circles completely colored in symbolizing all concepts are included

If you're not sure what is the best keyword to use, you can include multiple keywords connected with OR to search them all. OR means that at least one of these keywords will show up in your search. The graphic to the right implies that any of these concepts (or all of them) can be included in your search results. 

  • EXAMPLE: "Cantos de arreo" OR "Cantos de arreo y ordeño" OR "Cantos de trabajo de Los Llanos de Colombia y Venezuela"

NOTNoun project icon: An X overlaid on a circle suggesting exclusion of this concept

The NOT operator will exclude something from your search.

  • EXAMPLE: Jaguars NOT cars
  • EXAMPLE: Venez* NOT Venezia (This would exclude the town of Venice, Italy in Italian)

Using AND, OR, and NOT in a Search

Depending on the database, you may have a single search box or you may have an advanced search screen with multiple boxes. You can use the logical operators AND, OR, and NOT in either situation. In a single box, you can use parentheses () to isolate your terms, but if you have multiple boxes, you do not need to use parentheses. 

Here is an example of a search in each scenario using either parentheses or individual boxes to isolate the similar concepts like cow, cattle, and livestock.

Single Search Box

Single search box in Academic Search Complete showing the search string: music* AND (cow* OR cattle OR livestock) AND (milk OR dairy)

Multiple Search Boxes (called the "Advanced Search" screen in most databases)

Advanced search screen in Academic Search Complete showing a search for: music* AND (cow* OR cattle OR livestock) AND (milk OR dairy)

These searches using AND and OR regardless of whether you use a single box with () or multiple boxes, should produce the same results in this database. Follow this permalink to see this search's results in the database.

2. Phrase SearchingNoun project icon: one set of end quotation marks

Put quotation marks around a known phrase to search for an exact match. Be careful to only use quotation marks around a known phrase so that you don't accidentally miss relevant results.

  • EXAMPLE: "Cantos de arreo y ordeño"

3. Truncation / WildcardNoun project icon: asterisk

Use the wildcard symbol, an asterisk (*) to find variations of the same root word.

  • EXAMPLE: Venez* will find Venezuela, Venezolano, Venezuelan, Venezolana, etc.
  • EXAMPLE: Comput* will find Computer, Computers, Computation