2.3.2 Boolean operators

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

There are three Boolean operators:

• AND
• OR
• NOT

Some databases can also use Mathematical operators (such as + or -) in place of the words.

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