Boolean Operators

Boolean Operators are special words or symbols used to limit, widen, or define your online search. 

The words AND, OR, NOT, are Boolean Operators.

Using these operators can reduce or expand the amount of results you get. They are useful in saving time by focusing searches for more 'on-target' results that are more appropriate to your needs, eliminating unsuitable ones.

Each search engine or database collection uses Boolean operators in a slightly different way. The specific information on how they behave in each database will be found in either the guide to the specific database (usually found in Research Resources) or in the search engine's help section.