Searching in the catalog and databases is different than using a search engine. The catalog and databases do not rewrite misspelled words or search for variant spellings, nor do they search for related terminology. Boolean Operators and other search techniques are tools that connect your search words together to either narrow or broaden your set of results. Identifying keywords or phrases and then connecting them using Boolean operators (AND, OR, and NOT), along with the other tools in this guide, can help you narrow, expand, and/or refine your searches to find relevant, useful sources.
Quotation Marks
When words or phrases are enclosed by quotation marks, the exact phrase is searched in that order.
Example:
Parentheses
Parentheses may be used to narrow down a search and better utilize Boolean Operators to specify what you are looking for. Words that are placed in parentheses are searched first. Without parentheses, databases usually recognize AND as the primary operator.
Example:
Truncated Searching
Truncated searching involves entering the root of a search term and replacing the ending with an asterisk (*). The system will find all forms of that word regardless of variant endings.
Example:
Wildcard Searching
Wildcard searching involves inserting a question mark (?) in place of one letter of a search term, and allowing the system to match any individual character.
Example:
Nested Searching
Combine commands by "nesting" them in parentheses to create more detailed searches.
Examples:
Boolean Operators must be entered in all capital letters in order to work as intended.
Operator |
Search Example |
Finds… |
+ |
ageism + employment |
Records that contain the words ageism and employment. |
AND |
ageism AND employment |
Same as the “+” symbol. Finds records that contain the words ageism and employment. |
OR |
Army OR Marines |
Records that include the word Army OR the word Marines. OR is used to expand your search results. |
NOT |
rangers NOT baseball |
Records that have the terms “rangers” but not the term “baseball”. Used to exclude a term from your search results. |
- |
rangers - baseball |
The “-“ symbol gives the same result as NOT. Finds records that have the terms “rangers” but not “baseball”. |
![]() |
©2023 Abell Library Center | Austin College, 900 N. Grand Avenue, Sherman, TX 75090-4400 | Phone: (903) 813-2236 Please direct comments or questions about this website to Andrew Smith. |