6.5 Boolean Search Strategies

In this lesson you will learn how to use Boolean Operators to help improve your Internet searches.

Boolean Operators can help you when you are looking for information on the web.  

Here are some Boolean Operators that you can place in your search phrase:

AND narrows your search.  It means that both words in your phrase must appear in the results

OR broadens your search.  It means that either one word or the other in your search phrase will appear in the results.

NOT eliminates problem words.  It means that one word but not the other in your search phrase will appear in the results.

Watch this short video on Boolean Logic 

My VR Spot: https://live.myvrspot.com/iframe?v=fMGNmM2NjM2QxNjgzNWY4N2RjMzJlZWRiMzQzYjYzMGY
This video is also available on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRSjFaMVSe8

Try out the Boolean Operators with the following searches. Write a few sentences that describe your search results. 

Imagine that you need to find several books about jazz or blues music for a class assignment.  To get an overview, you perform 3 keyword searches.

“jazz AND blues”This search finds articles that compare jazz and blues.

“jazz OR blues”

This search finds articles that discuss either jazz or blues.

“jazz NOT blues”

 What kinds of articles did this search find?