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What are Boolean commands?

2993 views   |   0   0   |   Last updated on Sep 02, 2021    Boolean Library Search Searching

 

These are commands which allow you to combine search terms to broaden or limit your search. The terms supported in this catalogue include AND, OR, NOT and NEAR.

  • AND combines two or more keywords, limiting your search, for example:
    Peacocks AND Paradise will produce results containing both these search terms, e.g. Peacocks in Paradise.
  • OR will produce results with either search term in the title, broadening your search, for example:
    Peacocks OR Paradise will produce results including Peacocks in Paradise and Paradise Lost.
  • NOT will exclude a term from your search, making your search more specific, for example:
    Milton, John NOT Paradise Lost will produce a list of works by Milton not including Paradise Lost.
  • NEAR will produce results where your search terms are within five words of each other, for example:
    History NEAR Britain will produce a list of results including Geoffrey of Monmouth, The History of the Kings of Britain

Your Academic Support Librarian would be able to help you with any aspect of your search strategy.  Please email or telephone us to ask for assistance

 

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