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.

Evaluate your source and information.

• Is the author and/or publisher credible?
• Is the source reliable?
• For a study, is the purpose of the information clearly identified?
• Is the information current?
• Is there bias in the information? Is the author biased?
• Is the work organized?
• Is the work indexed?

When doing research explore a variety of search expressions in multiple databases.

• Edit the search expression to match your topic.
• Set limits, such as peer reviewed and date restrictions.
• Use the Choose Databases link to add or change databases to search.
• Sign in to your personal EBSCO folder to save articles and view them later.

Search examples:

• "aerobic exercise" AND child* AND ( benefi* or effect* ) AND "purpose of the study"
  DE "AEROBIC exercises" AND DE "CHILDREN"
• DE "TESTOSTERONE" AND DE "EXERCISE" (DE=descriptor or subject heading)
  (MH "Exercise+") AND (MH "Testosterone+")
• sugar AND adult* AND ( effect or impact or negative ) AND ( anxiety or depression ) AND ( study or percent ) NOT diabetes
• short term missions and (social or cultural) AND youth
  youth AND ( (sport or exercise) ) AND outreach programs
• body hydration AND (benefit* or effect*)