How to use Boolean logic for better searches

Figuring out which search terms to use is one of the most important steps in library research. If you have a simple query that can be described in a single word or short phrase,* that's great! But what happens if you have a more complex question, or you're interested in multiple keywords?

Our library databases respond to Boolean logic, a way of organizing information in computer science. The Boolean operators AND, OR, and NOT can be used to connect search terms together so that your searches give you as many relevant sources as possible, while leaving out sources that aren't actually what you're looking for.

Check out these slides for a visual explainer on how to use Boolean logic to find good research on the topics that interest you most. Click here to download this slide deck.

 

*Bonus tip! To search for a precise phrase in our library's databases, enclose it in quotation marks, like "cognitive behavioral therapy" or "classroom management." This tells the database you only want sources that use those exact words together in that exact order.

Want to learn more about how to use our library? Email library@ndnu.edu or schedule a time to Zoom with our librarian Rachel.