What are Boolean Operators?
Last Updated: Nov 17, 2023     Views: 246

The Boolean operators are three conjunctions (linking words) used by databases to link search terms together: AND, OR, & NOT.

These are the terms you use to combine separate search terms into a search strategy.

Each operator links terms together in a different way to the others, producing markedly different search outcomes.

The chart below indicates how each works:

 Operator 

 AKA

 Principle

 Retrieval    Logic

 Results

 AND

 Selective Combiner 

 Only retrieves records in which both terms are present

 AND = A+B,    A,B

 Small retrieval but highly relevant to topic. 

 OR

 Non-selective Combiner

 Retrieves records wherein both terms are present, or either term is  present.

 OR =  A+B, A,  B

 Large/massive retrieval but high percentage of irrelevant records

 NOT

 Excluding Operator

 Only retrieves records wherein excluded term is not present

 NOT =
 A,
 A+B, B

 Eliminates every occurrence of excluded term, including records in which desired terms also appear.

 

If you need assistance building a search strategy using Boolean operators or simply finding the right search terms, please contact the Help Desk by phone (903-566-7343), by chat, or by email (library@uttyler.edu).

 

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