Selecting and Using Keywords
Search Strategy Basics
Searching in the library's databases can be a challenge. Here are a few tips to help you create better search strategies.
Boolean logic or boolean searching (named after George Boole) uses logical words/terms (and, or, not) to combine words or terms. See the explanation in the "Boolean Searching for the Web" handout on this page. You can use Boolean Logic to help you narrow down your search results for ANY searching you do--whether it is using the library's databases or on the web.
Truncation symbols, usually the asterik * symbol, gives you more searching options for word endings.
Wildcard symbols, usually the question mark ? symbol, replaces a letter or letters in the middle of a word.
Phrase searching, to keep words together as a phrase, you usually use the quote marks around the phrase "words together"
Searching by author, sometimes you search by last name, then use ONLY initials; other times you can use lastname, first name.
Boolean Searching
- Boolean Searching for the WebBoolean searching is named after George Boole, a British mathematician (1815-1864), who wrote about logical ways to
formulate precise queries using true-false connectors or "operators" between concepts.
