1. 1) How to search for a complex topic, or how to "search by force"
AND
• Adding AND to a search
forces a database to find
only those items which
contain all of your keywords
eg. habitat AND fracking AND fish
TIP: Use AND when you get
too many results

2. 1) How to search for a complex topic, or how to "search by force"
OR
• Adding OR to a search allows a
database to help you
determine which keyword or
topic is best by searching for
both
eg. fracking OR hydrofracturing OR
fraccing
TIP: Use OR when you don't get
enough results / want more
results

3. 1) How to search for a complex topic, or how to "search by force"
NOT
• Adding NOT to a search
prevents a database from
showing you items you know
you don't want
eg. habitat NOT zoo
TIP: Use NOT when one of your
keywords has a homonym, or
other meaning:
eg. java (a programming language,
an island, a term for coffee)

4. 2) How to search multiple ideas / keywords at once
* ? !
(Wildcard)
• Using a wildcard symbol tells a
database that you want to see all
possible variations of your
keyword / idea
eg. president*
This is really a search for:
president, presidents, president's,
presidential, presidentialism,
presidentialisation, etc.
TIP: Use * / ? / ! when you aren't
sure what the best keyword will be

5. 3) How to search for a complex idea
""
(quotation marks)
• Using quotation marks forces a
database to find items that
contain the exact phrase, or
words in the exact order you
typed
eg. "department of defense“
TIP: Use " " when you need your
words to stay in a specific order

6. 3) How to search for a complex idea
()
(parentheses)
• Use parentheses tells a
database how to interpret a
complicated search
eg. (growth OR height) AND age
TIP: Use ( ) when you have
“ANDs” & “ORs”