Searching Scientific Literature

Using the Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to combine keywords in a database search allows you to narrow or expand your search. To build a complex search using two or more Boolean operators, you will need to learn the advanced technique of nesting (see Creating a Search Query for more details).

In the Venn diagrams below, the area retrieved is the yellow (or most lightly shaded) area.

Use AND to narrow a search. BOTH terms must be present in any references you retrieve.

Example: global warming AND forests 

Use OR to expand a search. Your search will retrieve records with EITHER of the terms.

Example: ethanol OR methanol 

OR is most often used to combine synonyms or like terms.