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Search Strategy: Finding Information: Combining Search Terms: Using AND, OR and NOT

Linking Search Terms

It is possible to use a number of different keywords or search terms in a single search, by using operators. 

Operators link your search terms and define the relationship between them. This enables more accurate searching and therefore more relevant results being returned. It also saves you time as you don't have to carry out numerous similar searches where just one or two search terms are changed each time.

How to Combine Search Terms: Using AND, OR and NOT

                           Fig. 1                                                                                                                           Fig. 2

The three most commonly used operators are AND, OR, NOT.  These are known as Boolean operators. They can be used to broaden or narrow a search and to exclude unwanted search terms and concepts.

You can type these operators in between your search terms (Fig. 1) or you can use the drop down options in the Advanced Search option (Fig. 2). Look at the Help pages on the database you want to use for specific guidance.   

AND

Use AND to narrow your search.

 

 

 

 

Using AND between your search terms narrows your search as it  instructs the database that all your search terms must appear (in any order).

For example: social awareness AND diversity
                      - will only return results where both words are present.

Because all search terms must be present, using AND makes the search more focused. 

In some (but not all) databases and search engines the AND is implied so if you enter multiple words the database will search for results which contain all/both words.

Combining Keywords Video: ExeterUniLibrary

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OR

Use OR to broaden your search.

 

 

 

 

Using OR between search terms broadens your results as any or all of your search terms can be present.

For example: human rights OR civil liberties
                      - will return results where either one or both of these words are present.

It is extremely useful for finding synonyms (keywords/phrases that mean the same thing) or related concepts.

Using OR enables you to carry out a number of similar searches in one go, saving you time.

NOT

Use NOT to narrow your search.

 

 

 

 

Using NOT narrows your search as it instructs the database to ignore results that contain particular words.

For example: social media NOT Twitter
                      - will return results that include social media, but do not include Twitter.

NOT tends to be used less than the And and OR operators. 

Use it with care as you may exclude useful articles which cover a range of topics of relevance to you.