The document discusses the use of Boolean operators to narrow or broaden search results in databases. It explains that Boolean operators define relationships between search terms and allow combining terms with AND, OR and NOT. Specifically, it states that AND narrows results by requiring both terms, OR broadens results by including either term, and NOT narrows by excluding one term. The document provides examples of using these operators alone and in combination to search the ERIC database.

1. Meghan Miller
LIS7880

2. Boolean Operators: About, Use, and Functions

3. Want to find specific information?
Do you know how to narrow search
results?
Do you know how to broaden search
results?
The Boolean Operators Instruction Module
will allow students to effectively narrow or
broaden search results using Boolean
operators.

4. • After completing the lecture and looking at examples the
students will:
• Understand the use of NOT, OR, AND Boolean operators in
database searching.
• Distinguish the difference between AND, OR, and NOT Boolean
operators.
• Identify the use of Boolean operators in database searching.
• Understand the use of combining Boolean operators in database
searching.
• Navigate through simple searches using Boolean operators in the
ERIC database.
• Upon completion of the assessment
• Correctly answer questions on Boolean operators within 90-100%
accuracy.

5. • Boolean Operators are….
• Words that used to narrow or broaden text searches
• They define relationships between words and groups of words
• Allows word and phrase combination to retrieve documents
(records) from databases
• Boolean Operators can be used in…
• Indexes
• Databases
• Search engines
• Not all search engines support the use of Boolean Operators

6. • There are three logical operators
• AND
• OR
• NOT
Which operators do you think narrow search results?
Which operators do you think broaden search results?

7. • Used to narrow a
search
• Used when searching
for materials that
contain more than one
idea
• When using AND both
terms must be
included in the record
Library Information

8. • Used to broaden a
search
• Used when searching
for materials that
contain either ideas
• When using OR either
term can be included
in the record
Library Information

9. • Used to narrow a search
• Used when searching for materials that contain one
idea and excluding another
• When using NOT only the primary term will be
included in the record
Library Instructio
n

10. Using combinations can create more specific results.
• Library NOT Information NOT Education
• Records will include library but exclude information and education
• Library OR Information NOT Education
• Records will include library or information but exclude education
• Library AND Information OR Education
• Records will include library and may include either information or
education
Be careful not use too many Boolean operators. Becoming too
specific could result in no results

11. • Please follow the link to complete a few questions on
Boolean operators.
http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-
school/story.php?title=boolean-operators_1
• When you are finished please return to the presentation
for an example of Boolean operators used in a database.

12. Putting Boolean Operators to Work

13. • Using the Education Resources Information Center
(ERIC) database we will search the terms Instructional
and Design
• To view ERIC as a whole please visit:
http://www.eric.ed.gov.proxy.lib.wayne.edu/
Here is the term search section in ERIC
Search
Term(s) is
where you will
enter your
search terms
and Boolean
Operators
You can Search in
specific sections
(Author, Title) or in
all fields

14. • Using Instructional and Design
• ERIC produces the following results
Instructional and
Design both show up in
the title, description, and
abstract
Searching Instructional
and Design resulted in
28,486 results.

15. • Take the time to explore the use of Boolean operators:
AND, OR, NOT
• Find a database, search terms of your choice, and share
your results.