Online search basics

Note: The Knowledge Base search does not permit the techniques described below.

Boolean searching

A Boolean search is a sophisticated search, often used to retrieve information from large databases. Following are a few of the more relevant Boolean operators and their meanings:

• OR: The search results contain records with one or more of the search strings.
  
  
• AND: The search results contain only records that have all the search strings.
  
  
• NOT: The search excludes records containing the search string.
  
  
• NOR: The search excludes records containing any of the search strings.

Nesting

Nesting, a search technique used in conjunction with Boolean operators, allows you to group search strings within parentheses. It allows you to construct very complex search strings, thereby increasing the precision of your searches.

Truncation

Truncation enables you to retrieve records containing various forms of a word by replacing parts of the word with symbols, thereby increasing your results. Accepted truncation symbols vary among databases; see What is a wildcard, and how can I use it?

More information

For more information, visit the Indiana University Information Commons/Undergraduate Library Services Basic Database Searching Techniques web site. This site provides examples of Boolean searches, including the use of nesting and truncation, and features Venn diagrams that demonstrate how the searches work.

Also see:

• What is Lexis-Nexis Academic, and how can I access it at IU?
• On the web, how can I narrow my search using the major search engines?
• How can I search for information on the World Wide Web?
• At IU, how do I access online library resources?
• At IU, how can I access medical library databases and full-text journals?
• What is OneSearch @IU and how can I access it?
• What is Academic Search Premier (EBSCO) and how can I access it at IU?
• At IU, how do I use Psych Abstracts to find articles?