Boolean operators form the basis of mathematical sets and database logic.
Why use Boolean operators?
Use AND in a search to:
The darker football shape in the middle of the Venn diagram represents the result set for this search. It is a small set using AND, the combination of both search terms.
Use OR in a search to:
These two circles combine to represent the result set for this search. It is a big set because either of the terms are valid using the OR operator.
Use NOT in a search to:
Truncation, also called stemming, is a technique that broadens your search to include various word endings and spellings.
Records in library databases are comprised of fields containing specific pieces of bibliographic information. Common fields include:
Subject headings describe the content of each item in a database. Use these headings to find relevant items on the same topic. Searching by subject headings (a.k.a. descriptors) is the most precise way to search article databases.
It is not easy to guess which subject headings are used in a given database. For example, the phone book's Yellow Pages use subject headings. If you look for "Movie Theatres" you will find nothing, as they are listed under the subject heading "Theatres - Movies."
You can often find Subject headings in the body of an article or text. If searching the Library database, these subjects are usually a hyperlink that will take you to additional resources with the same subject.
Scholarly articles often have extensive bibliographies, also called reference lists or works cited. Bibliographies include references to articles books, and other relevant literature that were published before the article. Some databases provide links to the cited references so you can look at those articles as well which might provide you with more articles for your research.
Cited articles can help you find additional resources.
We a can help you learn how to use the library's online resources to get started with your research, locate books, or answer other general questions. Contact a librarian by
email: library@corning-cc.edu
phone: 607-962-9251
or schedule an appointment.