Overview of Boolean Operators

1. Boolean Operators
& Databases

2. Combine using OR/AND/NOT
(Boolean Operators)
Boolean logic refers to the logical relationship among
search terms (keywords).
Use Boolean Logic to narrow, broaden, or exclude search
results. Boolean logic consists of three logical operators:
AND/OR/NOT
AND/NOT>>>>>>>>> (Decrease results)
OR>>>>>>>>>>>>>> (Increase results)
Use Boolean Logic to connect your keywords in a language databases understand.

3. Boolean Operators
1. Boolean Operator AND>>Connects 2 or more keywords
Example> Fluid AND Electrolyte imbalance
2. Boolean Operator OR>>Connects 2 or more similar concepts
Example> Oral Lesions OR Ulcers
3. Boolean Operator NOT>>Used to exclude words from your search
Example>Women NOT Men

4. Advanced Search Techniques “Truncation”
What is Truncation?
Truncation, also called stemming, is a technique
that allows you to search for various word
endings and spellings simultaneously.

5. Advanced Search Techniques “Truncation”
To use truncation enter the root of a word and put
the truncation symbol at the end. The database
will return results that include any ending of that
root word.
Examples:
child* = child, child’s, children, children’s,
childhood
*GOAL in using truncation is to retrieve more
results.

6. Advanced Search Techniques
“Truncation”
Truncation symbols may vary by database, the most common truncation
symbols are:
* Asterisk
! Exclamation Mark
? Question Mark
# Hashtag
Look at the database “Help” screens to find out which symbol to use.