Using Boolean Operators and Search Limiters
Boolean operators (and, or, not) and search limiters help narrow our search to specific resources when conducting searches in databases and some electronic book collections. For example, if you wanted to find a book about the Great Depression and the economic effects of this financial crisis, your keywords would be Great Depression and economic effects. However, the use of these keywords alone can bring results about psychological depression and the economy that relate to people who suffer from depression and loss of income, and the like. To remedy problems like this, searchers can attempt using Boolean search limiters.
Limiting by SUBJECT
- Enter your keywords in separate search boxes
- Try using the SUBJECT search limiters for keywords that are critical to your search. For example, the Great Depression is a specific period in history that is different from psychological depression, so you might try entering this as a subject term.
Note: using a subject limiter helps limit results to resources that are designated as being about the topic.
Limiting by AUTHOR
Most databases offer other search limiters, such as author and title. If you are looking for resources by a specific author, you may enter the author’s name and use the author limiter. For example, if resources by the author Carol Kuhlthau are needed, try entering the author’s last name and using the AUTHOR search limiter.
Other Search Limiters
Databases and electronic book collections can vary in what search limiters they provide. It is a good idea to review the collection using the toggle or drop-down search limiter menu.
