Boolean Operators: Boolean Operators

Using Boolean Operators (AND, OR, NOT)

Boolean Operators are used to connect and define the relationship between your search terms. When searching electronic databases, you can use Boolean operators to either narrow or broaden your record sets. The three Boolean operators are AND, OR and NOT.

• AND
  • Use AND to narrow your search. All of your search terms will show up in the retrieved records.

• OR
  • Use OR to broaden your search by connecting two or more synonyms. One term, the other term, or both terms will be retrieved.

• NOT
  • Use NOT to exclude term(s) from your search results.