Phrase searching and Boolean operators

These search techniques can be used with search engines or library databases.

Phrase searching occurs when you put quotes around a search phrase: "drunk driving". This will search the web (or database) for every instance of these two words in that order.

Boolean operators are the words AND, OR, NOT.

AND narrows searches...for example, "small group" AND decision-making will only find instances with these two results.



OR broadens searches...."small group" OR decision-making will find results with one or both of these results.



NOT...narrows searches by eliminating results..."small group" NOT decision-making.

Images taken from this Tarleton search tutorial.