INTRODUCTION TO BASIC BOOLEAN SEARCH AND TRUNCATION METHODS Paul Tremblay, Reference Librarian Paul Tremblay, Reference Librarian Office: (718) Office: (718) Reference Desk: (718) Reference Desk: (718)

For this tutorial I will use the “Advanced Search” module of Cambridge Scientific Abstract (CSA); CSA is a database, or aggregator of already published records, including journal articles. You will find similar modules in other databases

Key concepts Keywords Keywords Boolean Search Boolean Search Operators & Truncations Operators & Truncations Citations & Abstract Citations & Abstract Full-Text Full-Text

The quick guide… Keywords: words identifying the concepts of your research Keywords: words identifying the concepts of your research Boolean Operators: words combining the keywords Boolean Operators: words combining the keywords Truncations: a truncation mark is a symbol added to the stem of a word in order to search all forms of the word Truncations: a truncation mark is a symbol added to the stem of a word in order to search all forms of the word Citations: the basic information of a record (Author, title of the article, title of the periodical, date, page…) Citations: the basic information of a record (Author, title of the article, title of the periodical, date, page…) Abstract: a summary of the article (anything from 10 words to a few hundreds) Abstract: a summary of the article (anything from 10 words to a few hundreds)

Keywords are words or concepts extracted from your topic (subject of research) Keywords are words or concepts extracted from your topic (subject of research) They are unique and related to the field being investigated. They are unique and related to the field being investigated. Do not forget that you are dealing with a computer, not a human being! Do not write a full sentence, just words (including synonyms) unique to your topic. Do not forget that you are dealing with a computer, not a human being! Do not write a full sentence, just words (including synonyms) unique to your topic.

A Boolean Search is a computerized search using “operators” A Boolean Search is a computerized search using “operators” They are words by which search terms (keywords) are combined They are words by which search terms (keywords) are combined The operators may be used to expand or narrow a search The operators may be used to expand or narrow a search Most widely used are Most widely used are  OR  AND  NOT  (By default, Google will “and” your terms)

The truncation mark is usually an “*”, an asterisk. The truncation mark is usually an “*”, an asterisk. It tells the software that you wish to obtain ALL possible terminations. It tells the software that you wish to obtain ALL possible terminations. “Teen*” will retrieve “teen”, “teens”, “teenager”… It is compatible with all computerized search (online or CD). Google and other search engines recognize it “Teen*” will retrieve “teen”, “teens”, “teenager”… It is compatible with all computerized search (online or CD). Google and other search engines recognize it

The Concepts of a Search KEYWORDS… KEYWORDS… Let’s try a topic, let’s squeeze words out of a project Let’s try a topic, let’s squeeze words out of a project

EXAMPLE: TOPIC: The positive (or negative) effects of inclusion in children in high schools. TOPIC: The positive (or negative) effects of inclusion in children in high schools. Strategy: identify the concepts, here called KEYWORDS: Strategy: identify the concepts, here called KEYWORDS:  inclusion  children  High school  effects?

Now that we identified our “concepts” or “keywords”, let’s combine them with Operators. But what do Operators do? For instance, what is the difference between using “AND” and “OR”? AND AND  child* AND juvenile o All articles or records with BOTH terms in them (narrows the search) OR OR  Child* OR juvenile o All articles with EITHER or BOTH terms (broadens the search)

If I search for (Child* AND juvenile), the result should be all records with BOTH terms in them. However, (Child* OR juvenile) should yield ALL records: with Child alone, with Juvenile alone, and the records with both terms. C CJJ My results

In a nutshell… You input the terms or concepts you absolutely want to search You input the terms or concepts you absolutely want to search You combine them with AND (for instance: abortion AND teen) You combine them with AND (for instance: abortion AND teen) You use OR to combine alternative terminologies or analogous terms (Teen OR adolescent OR young adult) You use OR to combine alternative terminologies or analogous terms (Teen OR adolescent OR young adult)

When to use NOT You use NOT to exclude unwanted results You use NOT to exclude unwanted results For example, you are researching for records about Martin Luther, the religious reformer. For example, you are researching for records about Martin Luther, the religious reformer. However, chances are that you will end up with a lot of legitimate records about Martin Luther King. One of the strategies is to search for the following: However, chances are that you will end up with a lot of legitimate records about Martin Luther King. One of the strategies is to search for the following: Martin AND Luther NOT King Martin AND Luther NOT King

Enough about Boolean stuff! Let’s go back to our search here SEARCH inclusion AND high schools AND (child* OR juvenile) inclusion AND high schools AND (child* OR juvenile) The parenthesis strategy is called “nesting”. Usually a “guided” search will perform this for you automatically.

POP QUIZ! Before going any further: Why did we add an asterisk to “child”? Just testing your memory here… Just testing your memory here… Remember that the * asterisk is called a “truncation” mark. It tells the software that you wish to obtain ALL possible terminations. Remember that the * asterisk is called a “truncation” mark. It tells the software that you wish to obtain ALL possible terminations. In other words… In other words…

This is what “Child*” will search Child* Child* Child Children Childish

Let’s input the search terms

How did we formulate the search? We did use the AND and OR operators We did use the AND and OR operators A CSA “Advanced Search” interface, though, did the job for us A CSA “Advanced Search” interface, though, did the job for us It displayed the ANDs and the ORs; all you have to do is include the search terms It displayed the ANDs and the ORs; all you have to do is include the search terms Most databases’ “Advanced Search” option will allow you to do so. If not, you have to “nest” the terms Most databases’ “Advanced Search” option will allow you to do so. If not, you have to “nest” the terms

The ORs are aligned horizontally. The ANDs are on a different row. The most common mistakes include confusing the AND and OR. Do not input “Inclusion OR high school”, for instance.

Click on “Search”, and here are the results, in “short format”

What you will obtain, hopefully, are citations along with abstracts; your search terms are bolded.

READ THE ABSTRACT! Tells you more about an article than just reading the title. The abstract is a summary of the article (anything from 10 to 200 words). The abstract is a summary of the article (anything from 10 to 200 words). The abstract will help you assess if the article is relevant to your search/topic. The abstract will help you assess if the article is relevant to your search/topic. In order to retrieve the full-text of the article (if not readily available), please refer to the appropriate tutorial available off our webpage or call your instructor In order to retrieve the full-text of the article (if not readily available), please refer to the appropriate tutorial available off our webpage or call your instructor

A few good tips about “OR”… Do not forget: OR combines similar terms Do not forget: OR combines similar termsSo… Use Alternative Terminology… Use Alternative Terminology… Option A, refer to a printed Thesaurus… Option A, refer to a printed Thesaurus… Option B, Use the online Thesaurus (not always available in all databases; in CSA, click on “Search Tools”) Option B, Use the online Thesaurus (not always available in all databases; in CSA, click on “Search Tools”)

Click on “Thesaurus”

For instance you are looking for English as Second Language. Type in “ESOL”, click on “hierarchy” (will provide you with “broader” and “narrower” terms)

The point of this exercise is for the database to provide you with a listing of alternative terminology ESOL or ESL or English (Second Language) ESOL or ESL or English (Second Language) Another example for a simple search using alternative terminology (or synonyms): Another example for a simple search using alternative terminology (or synonyms): ELL or English Language Learner* ELL or English Language Learner* You may attempt You may attempt (ELL* or English Language Learner* or ESOL) and SAT (ELL* or English Language Learner* or ESOL) and SAT

”OR” works with acronyms as well. You are searching for SAT, for instance? Try the full phrase: Try the full phrase: SAT or Scholastic Assessment Test or Scholastic Aptitude Test (one being the new version and the other the old version) SAT or Scholastic Assessment Test or Scholastic Aptitude Test (one being the new version and the other the old version)

We hope this tutorial helped you Should you have any questions, comments, complaints, etc., do not hesitate to call or us at the library. Should you have any questions, comments, complaints, etc., do not hesitate to call or us at the library.

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