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When you search library databases, you can use Boolean operators to combine keywords and shape your search results. Don’t worry if this feels new—learning how to search effectively takes practice, and you’re not expected to know this already.
Boolean operators use the words AND, OR, and NOT to help you narrow or broaden your results.
Use AND when you want results that include all of your keywords. This search finds sources that discuss both globalization and human rights, helping you focus on more specific results.
Use OR when you want results that include any of your keywords. This search finds sources that discuss either globalization or human rights, giving you a wider range of results.
Use the Boolean operator NOT when you want to remove a specific term from your search results. This search finds sources that discuss globalization but excludes any results that also mention human rights.
NOT can be useful when a topic keeps appearing that you don’t need, but it can also remove relevant sources if you’re not careful. If your results seem too limited, try removing NOT or experimenting with other keywords. This kind of adjusting is a normal part of research, and you’re not doing anything wrong.
For more information about Boolean operators and how to effectively use them, see the following:
