The easiest way to search for information electronically is to enter a couple of keywords into the search box of the resource and see what type of results you get. This strategy, however, will often result in too few, too many, or irrelevant results.
In order to retrieve the most relevant results, you will need to construct a search string. Take a look at the table for hints how Boolean operators, which are part of a good search string/strategy, work.
Truncation or wildcard symbols can broaden your search and allow you to look for variations of words. For example, searching sport* would bring up variations such as sport, sports, sporting, sporty, etc.
Note: The truncation symbol varies depending on the electronic resource you are searching. For more information, consult the database’s “help” or “search tips” pages.
Are you finding too much information or perhaps not finding enough? Use alternative, narrower, or broader keywords to vary your results.
Check out these powerful thesauri to find alternative keywords.
This tool is designed to teach you how to create a search string using Boolean logic. Cut and paste the search string results into the search box of a library database or search engine.
Boolean searching is the way to search for information in most online databases. Boolean operators or connector words, such as AND, OR, and NOT, are used to create phrases and concepts based on specific rules of search logic.
| Operator | Examples | Results |
| AND |
|
Retrieves records that contain ALL of the search terms. |
| OR |
|
Retrieves records that contain ANY of the search terms, but does not necessarily include all of them. |
| NOT |
|
Excludes records containing the second search term. |
Google changes its search algorithm constantly, making it easier and easier (we think!) to find what Google thinks we want. However, if you're having trouble finding the types of articles you want, use the search strategies below.
| Search Strategies | Examples |
| Queries are not case sensitive. |
Barack Obama and barack obama will retrieve the same results.
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Results will typically include each word or punctuation mark included in the search query. Some stop words or exceptions apply. |
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Keep search queries simple and descriptive and use as few terms as possible. Avoid natural language queries as they can limit your results. |
Use colorado statehood instead of when did colorado first become a state. |
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Google automatically truncates search terms. To prevent automatic truncation, use a + sign in front of each term. |
A query on child retrives results with 'children" and "childcare". |
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Use double quotations marks ("") to search terms as a phrase and narrow your results. Google will only retrieve results that have those exact terms in the exact order typed. |
A query on Barack Hussein Obama II will retrieve only those sites that refer to Obama by his full name. Sites that refer to him as simply 'Barack Obama' may be overlooked. |
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Use the site: feature to limit your results to a specific website or class of websites. |
The query cloning site:online.wsj.com will only retrieve articles about cloning from the online version of the Wall Street Journal. A query on cloning site:.gov will only retrieve results within the government domain. |
| To allow for either of several words to appear in your results, use the OR operator. The operator must be in all caps. |
A query on hotel OR lodging OR inn directories will retrieve any or all of the types of directories mentioned. |