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Keyword Searching
Keyword Search Rules for the Library Catalog and Databases
Using AND/OR/NOT (Boolean Search Operators) |
AND
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Use AND to focus search and combine different aspects of your topic.
Example: vegetarianism and environment
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OR
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Use OR to expand your search and find synonyms/related terms.
Example: global warming or climate change
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NOT
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Use NOT to exclude a word or phrase from your search
Example: emissions trading not United States
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Additional Search Tips |
"Phrase search" - Use quotation marks" " to search for a particular phrase.
Example: "greenhouse gas emissions"
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Truncation * - Use an asterisk to find variations of a word. Put an asterisk following the root of the word to find all variations of that word, including singular and plural.
Example: environment* (finds environments, environmental, environmentalist, etc.)
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(Grouping/Nesting Keywords) - Use parentheses ( ) as a way to group all your search terms together.
Example: (climate change or global warming) and population growth
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