Boolean operators form the basis of mathematical sets and database logic.
- They connect your search words together to either narrow or broaden your set of results.
- The three basic boolean operators are: AND, OR, and NOT.
Why use Boolean operators?
- To focus a search with AND, particularly when your topic contains multiple search terms.
- Example: psilocybin AND alcoholism treatment
- To broaden a search with OR, particularly when you need to add synonyms to a group of search terms.
- Example: cardiomyopathy OR myocardiopathy OR heart disease
- To connect various pieces of information to find exactly what you're looking for.
- Example: second creation (title) AND wilmut and campbell (author) AND 2000 (year)
