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Databases: Keyword Searching

Keyword Searching

Keyword Search Rules for the Library Catalog and Databases


Using AND/OR/NOT (Boolean Search Operators)
AND

Use AND to focus search and combine different aspects of your topic.

Example: vegetarianism and environment
OR
 

Use OR to expand your search and find synonyms/related terms.

Example: global warming or climate change
NOT

Use NOT to exclude a word or phrase from your search

Example: emissions trading not United States

 


Additional Search Tips

"Phrase search"  - Use quotation marks" " to search for a particular phrase.

Example: "greenhouse gas emissions"

Truncation * - Use an asterisk to find variations of a word. Put an asterisk following the root of the word to find all variations of that word, including singular and plural.

Example: environment* (finds environments, environmental, environmentalist, etc.)

(Grouping/Nesting Keywords) - Use parentheses ( ) as a way to group all your search terms together.

Example: (climate change or global warming) and population growth

See the Basic Search Tips guides for more information, including examples.  Use the Search Generator from Northwest Missouri State University to help you create a keyword search.  Or use the Keyword Searching Worksheet to help you brainstorm keywords and put together your own search query.