A tutorial to learn how to effectively use AND, OR, and NOT from the Colorado State University Libraries.
Truncation
Search any form of a word by taking the root of the word and adding an asterix.
Example: learn* will search learn, learner, learners, learning, etc.
Boolian Operators AND, OR,
Narrow your search using AND in between each of your keywords to find articles with all of your keywords included. The more keywords you search using AND, the fewer results you will have.
Example: Title IX and college athletics
Broaden your search using OR in between each of your keywords to find articles with any of your keywords included. Use OR when you are searching synonyms/ similar/ related terms. The more keywords you search using OR, the more results you will have.
Example: university students or college students or undergraduates
Phrase Searching
Putting quotes around your keywords allows you to search these terms as a phrase.
Example: "No child left behind"
Reproductive justice
Reproductive rights
Reproductive freedom
Reproductive choice
Abortion rights
Parental rights
Fertility rights
Adoption rights
Gay adoption
LGBT adoption
Birthing justice