Many databases allow you to construct complex search strings using Boolean operators and other syntax to help refine the results that are returned. Learning how to use these strategies to make your searches more effective. Beware, though, not all databases use the same syntax. For example, wildcard characters used for truncation can vary. If you find yourself using the same database regularly, it may be useful to learn how to effectively use the advanced search features specific to that database.
You can use Boolean operators between words or phrases in your search string. The default setting is for the system to use AND between two words. That's why a search for canine rehabilitation will return the same results as canine AND rehabilitation.
Adding a word to your search string connected with AND will often reduce the number of returns you receive. Items in the search results will include reference to both terms connected by AND.
Adding a word to your search string connected with OR will generally increase the number of returns you receive. Items in the search results only need to include reference to one of the terms connected by OR.
Connecting a word to your search string with NOT will generally decrease the number of search results you receive. Be careful with using NOT. A search string such as cats NOT dogs will exclude items in your search results that discuss both species as it is removing any resource that makes mention of dogs. However, bats NOT baseball would be a very helpful search string if you are trying to find resources about the animal and not baseball bats.
You can use parentheses to group words together to search for synonyms, variations in spellings, and alternative word endings. This can help expand your search if you are not finding what you are looking for. For example you can simply search for canine rehabilitation or you can try (dog OR dogs OR canine OR canines) AND rehabilitation.
Like terms should be grouped together in parentheses and then connected by OR. This can also be done for the rehabilitation term in the above search string if there are similar terms you would like to search for.
Use quotation marks (" ") to search for a specific phrase in the collection. This generally reduces the number of results you receive. This works best if the phrase you are searching for does not have many variations or synonyms.
Use the asterisk in the place of a series of letters, usually at the end of a word or partial word, to account for variations in endings. Best practice is to use the asterisk following at least three characters, if not more.
Poor use: cat* will return resources that reference cat and cats, but also catheter, catalysis, cattle, etc.
Better use: rehab* will return resources that use the terms rehabilitate, rehabilitation, rehabilitative, etc.
Parentheses can be used with Boolean operators to build searches that return more precise or comprehensive results. You can search using small animal rehabilitation to find resources, or you may try something a little more complex by combining Boolean operators with parentheses, truncation, and phrase searching.
(dogs OR canine OR cats OR feline OR "small animal") AND rehab*
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