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Boolean Searching: Home

Keywords

image of a computer screen with pictures on itYou Search in databases by using  keywords. These are the main words in your research question, but they can also be other terms that you have discovered by doing background research. They can also be synonyms of the main terms in your research question.

George Boole

Boolean Operators

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. There are three common Boolean Operators: AND, OR, & NOT. Using AND is the quickest way to narrow your search. Use OR to look for similar terms. Use NOT to exclude unhelpful information from your search. Keywords are the nouns in your research question. They are initially found through background reading in your textbook or an encyclopedia. Every resource is a potential goldmine for keywords. While Boolean Operators help you construct your search, using the right keywords is essential. Using a good search strategy will pay off! Finding good sources is much easier when you use a helpful search strategy. Your initial searches will be simple, but once you work with these techniques, searching will become much easier. Here are some helpful tips for good search strategies: What you put in the parentheses will be searched for first. If you want to search for an exact phrase put it in quotes. Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you are not sure where to begin- start at the Reference Desk! Keep in mind the difference between Scholarly and Peer-Reviewed articles. Scholarly articles are written by subject specialists, someone with a PhD in the field. They are long (20-50 pages), and have extensive bibliographies. Not all scholarly articles are peer-reviewed. Scholarly journals are edited and require the author to use the correct citation style. Check the journals web page, ask your professor, or talk to a librarian if you need help determining whether the article in question is scholarly. Peer-reviewed or refereed articles are also written by subject experts, but peer reviewed journals require articles to be vetted by other subject specialists before the article is published in the journal. This ensures quality. Remember to ask if you need help determining if an article is peer-reviewed. For more information please reach out to the West Library Information Literacy Department: Dennis Miles at dbmiles@txwes.edu Marquel Anteola at manteola@txwes.edu and Risa Brown at rwbrpwm@txwes.edu. The general email and phone number for the West Library Information Literacy Department is reference@txwes.edu and 817-531-4802