Boolean Operators

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Questions and Answers

A researcher is investigating the impact of social media on political polarization. Which Boolean operator would be most effective in narrowing their search to articles that discuss both 'social media' and 'political polarization'?

  • AND (correct)
  • OR
  • NOT
  • AND NOT

A student is researching the effects of climate change on coastal ecosystems. They want to find articles that mention either 'erosion' or 'flooding' (or both). Which Boolean operator is most suitable for this search?

  • AND NOT
  • AND
  • NOT
  • OR (correct)

A historian is researching the Roman Empire but wants to exclude any articles that specifically mention 'gladiators.' Which Boolean operator should they use?

  • NEAR
  • NOT (correct)
  • OR
  • AND

A biologist is studying the impact of pesticides on bee populations but wishes to exclude articles that mention 'honey production'. Which Boolean operator should be used?

<p>AND NOT (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is investigating the correlation between exercise and mental health. They use the search query '(cardio OR strength training) AND anxiety'. What is the purpose of the parentheses in this query?

<p>To ensure that either 'cardio' or 'strength training' is searched for before being combined with 'anxiety'. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it essential to understand that different search engines or databases might use Boolean operators in slightly different ways?

<p>To adapt search strategies and phrasing for optimal results in each specific context effectively. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A student enters the search query 'fish AND NOT salmon' into a database. What is the likely outcome of this search?

<p>The search will return results containing the word 'fish' but exclude results that also mention 'salmon'. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is investigating the impact of deforestation on endangered species. Which search query would be MOST effective in finding articles that discuss either 'deforestation' or 'habitat loss' in relation to 'endangered species'?

<p>(deforestation OR habitat loss) AND endangered species (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If you want to search for the word "not" literally, how should you enter it into the search engine?

<p>&lt;<not>&gt; (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Regarding the term 'Boolean Operators', which statement is most accurate?

<p>They are conjunctions used to combine or exclude keywords in a search, to produce focused results. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Boolean Operators

Words that combine or exclude keywords in a search, leading to more focused results.

AND (Boolean Operator)

Requires both terms to be in each item returned, narrowing the search.

OR (Boolean Operator)

Ensures either term (or both) will be in the returned document, broadening the search.

NOT or AND NOT (Boolean Operator)

Searches for the first term, then subtracts any records containing the term after the operator.

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Using Parentheses in Searches

Using parentheses () to enclose search strategies customizes your results.

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Study Notes

  • Boolean operators are simple words like AND, OR, NOT, and AND NOT.
  • Boolean operators are used as conjunctions to combine or exclude keywords in a search.
  • Using Boolean Operators results in more focused and productive results.
  • Boolean operators save time and effort by eliminating inappropriate hits.
  • Using Boolean operators reduces or expands the number of records returned.
  • Boolean operators focus searches for more 'on-target' results.
  • Each search engine or database collection uses Boolean operators in a slightly different way or may require special punctuation.
  • Specific phrasing for Boolean operators is found in the guide to a specific database or the search engine's help screens.
  • Proximity Operators can also help in searching.

AND

  • The AND operator requires both terms to be in each item returned.
  • Using AND narrows the search.
  • Example: A search on "stock market AND trading" includes results containing "stock market trading," "trading on the stock market," and "trading on the late afternoon stock market."

OR

  • The OR operator means either term (or both) will be returned in the document.
  • Using OR broadens the search.
  • Example: A search on "ecology OR pollution" includes results containing documents containing either the word ecology, the word pollution or both.

NOT or AND NOT

  • The NOT or AND NOT operators search the first term, then subtract any records containing the term after the operators from the results.
  • Narrowing the search too much may eliminate good records.
  • Searching the word "not" can be done by placing double quotes around it.
  • Example: A search on "Mexico AND NOT city" includes results containing New Mexico, the nation of Mexico, and US-Mexico trade, but not Mexico City.

Using Parentheses

  • Using parentheses to enclose search strategies will customize results.
  • Search engines deal with search statements within the parentheses first, then apply any statements that are not enclosed.
  • Example: A search on "(smoking or tobacco) and cancer" returns articles containing smoking and cancer, tobacco and cancer smoking, cancer, and tobacco, but does not return smoking or tobacco when cancer is not mentioned.

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