A Boolean Operator is a word that communicates search functions. AND, OR, and NOT are the Boolean operators used in searching databases to combine terms and search more efficiently.

AND = Results contain BOTH terms.
OR = Results contain EITHER term.
NOT = Results have the first term(s), but not the term following NOT.

Use the chart below to guide you in developing effective search expressions.

Click a sample search link below to go to the search and results.
Try editing the search expression to match your topic.
Set required limits, such as peer reviewed and date restrictions.
Use the "Choose Databases" link to add or change databases to search.
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• opens new window"international adoption" AND (risk* or problem*) - In Academic Search Complete (ASC)
• opens new window"international adoption" AND benefits - In ASC and Humanities International Complete
• opens new windowgun control debate AND second amendment - In ASC, Military & Government Collection, and Political Science Complete
• opens new windowgun control debate AND violence and schools - In ASC, Military & Government Collection, Political Science Complete, and Education Research Complete
• opens new windowundocumented immigrants and (economic or financial) AND (impact or effect*) - In ASC, America-History & Life, Military & Government Collection, Political Science Complete
• opens new windowillegal immigration AND "quality of life" - In ASC, Military & Government Collection, and Political Science Complete
• opens new windowyear-round schools AND (advantage or benefit) - In ASC, Education Research Complete, ERIC
• opens new window"single-gender" schools AND effect* - In ASC, Education Research Complete, ERIC
• opens new windowshort term missions and (social or cultural) AND youth - In ASC, ATLA Religion with Full Text
• opens new windowbody hydration AND (benefit* or effect*) - In ASC, Health Source Consumer, Health Source Nursing/Academic, SPORTDiscus
• opens new windowSeptember 11 AND financial AND (outcome or effect*) - In ASC, Military & Government Collection, Political Science Complete; multiple limiters were used in this search.