2.3.2 Boolean operators


Identify and obtain information
	2.1 Define your search terms
	2.2 An example search strategy
	2.3 Search strategies
		2.3.1 Keyword or subject searching?
		2.3.2 Boolean operators
			AND operator
			OR operator
			NOT operator
		2.3.3 Mathematical operators
		2.3.4 Nesting
		2.3.5 Phrase searching
		2.3.6 Truncation and wildcards
		2.3.7 Prepare a search strategy
	2.4 Select an appropriate tool
	2.5 Keep up to date


	Glossary

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Most library catalogues, databases and Internet search tools use Boolean operators to combine search terms.

There are three Boolean operators:

Note: Check the Help screens of the search tool to determine what operators are valid. For example, the QUT library catalogue uses the NOT operator to exclude unwanted terms from a search, while Google uses a minus symbol (-).

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