Library:Searching in databases/Combining Keywords

Combining keywords

Many databases open to an advanced search screen showing two or more empty search boxes. To begin searching, type in keywords which represent your ideas - one idea per search box.

AND - links search terms together:

AND links concepts together

OR - allows you to work synonyms into your search:

OR= synonyms

NOT - eliminates results which contain specific words. **Note, this can have unpredictable results so you should only use NOT when you need to use keywords which have multiple meanings/uses:

• Pancake NOT makeup
• Grizzlies NOT hockey
  • most databases have a NOT option in the AND drop-down menu.

NOT in drop-down menu

• Google search has a similar function but you will have to use the dash symbol rather than typing out the word NOT. Type: Grizzlies -hockey