There are 3 Boolean operators used in virtually every database search: AND, OR, and NOT. We write them in all capital letters to let the database know that they are operators, not search terms.
Boolean Operator: AND
children AND adolescents
- Will return results that contain BOTH the term children and adolescents
- Use this to tie your main terms together
Boolean Operator: OR
therapy OR treatment
- Will return results that contain EITHER the term therapy, treatment, or both terms.
- Use to tie your synonyms, related terms, and alternate spellings together
Boolean Operator: NOT
Pets NOT cats
- Will return results that contain the word pets, and DO NOT contain the word cats
- Use this to filter out irrelevant results
