SOAD Creative Core Research Guide

Use AND, OR, and NOT to narrow or broaden search results.

Using AND

• narrows results
• ALL terms must be in each search result

Note: in most, but not all, databases, the AND is implied. For example, Google automatically puts an AND in between search terms.

Example:  renewable energy AND China

Using OR

• broadens results
• searches for ANY of the terms in search results
• connects similar concepts (synonyms)

Example:  renewable energy OR solar OR wind

Using NOT

• narrows results
• exclude words from search

This operator is great when you notice your search term is used in different disciplines. You might use this example when researching peacekeeping in the context of interpersonal conflict but your search results in documents about international conflict.

Example:  peacekeeping NOT United Nations

Adapted from SAIS Library, Johns Hopkins Univ. "Database Search Tips" Guide (no longer extant).

Records in library databases are made of "fields." Fields can help narrow your search.

• Most databases automatically search by keyword (looking for the term anywhere in the record).
   
• Limit the field for a search term to narrow the results. 
   
• Fields are usually in drop down boxes.
   
• If the database has a single search box with no drop-down menu, look for an "Advanced Search" option.
   

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Adapted from SAIS Library, Johns Hopkins Univ. "Database Search Tips" Guide