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