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MFT 8321 : Theory Building in Family Sciences

Searching in Databases

Searching in Databases involves using special terms called boolean operators

Example of how Boolean Operators Work

Image: Boolean Operators Poster created by West Library Information Literacy Department. Boolean Operators are used to construct searches. When used in conjunction with keywords, they can help you find better information through web, database, and catalog searches. Boolean Operator Terms: And, Or, Not. Using AND is the quickest way to narrow searches. Example: athlete AND pay. Use OR to look for similar search terms. Example: pay OR wage. Use NOT to exclude unhelpful information from your search. Example: football NOT soccer. If you are not sure where to begin, don’t be afraid to ask for help at the Reference Desk.