When searching, try to identify the main topics. Use no more than 3-4 words or phrases.
For example, you'd like to find articles on the effects of air pollution on children in the United States.
See below for more ideas on how to refine this search!
Find synonyms (similar words):
Try AND: combines different terms when both must be present
Use OR: combines terms when at least one must be present
Use NOT (or – in Google): Eliminates terms from a search
Add quotation marks
Add an asterisk (*) to look for all endings for the root of a word
Add a question mark (?) to represent a character within a word
| Boolean Operator | Examples | Results |
|---|---|---|
 |
children AND poverty |
AND combines different terms when both must be present. Use AND to narrow a search. |
 |
teenagers OR adolescents |
OR combines terms when at least one must be present. Use OR to broaden a search. |
 |
Java NOT coffee |
NOT eliminates terms from a search. Use NOT when you want to exclude all records that contain a certain term. |
