Boolean Searching In 20 minutes or less

Searching electronic databases Dynamic environment, constant development and change Each search engine is different – their algorithm is their industrial secret But Boolean searching is the basis Organizes concepts in sets Used by WWW search engines and database publishers

Boolean Logic George Boole in 1840s AND (retrieves any word in search, relationship to each other on page not important) OR (document contains at least one of the words searched) NOT, sometimes ANDNOT (excludes term) Boolean Machine no CAPS, no guarantee

Databases at GSO Library a sampler of the DEEP web Databases will describe search logic, and add delimiters Databases host: Basic Search, Subject Search, Advanced Search = Boolean Search Reference: FOF, EBSCO, EB, WWFOF, EBSCO, EB, WW  Key words and events (clues for extended searching) Magazine, Journal, News: VOL, JSTORVOL, JSTOR Books: DestinyDestiny

Searching the SURFACE web Because it is ubiquitous AND is automatically assumed “ specific phrase ” (search first) Parenthesis force the order of search  (cat OR feline) AND behavior Implied Boolean  AND = +word  NOT = -word Using Advanced Search template OR Google does not recognize OR unless in Advanced Search template Let ’ s search Let ’ s search Experiment: add the word database to search; try Google MORE; try a deep web SE like LII or IA or Project GutenbergLIIIAProject Gutenberg

Summary Dynamic information technology environment Boolean Searching = AND, OR, NOT Databases Searching the WWW Two helpful links: Internet Tutorials and Bare Bones from USCInternet Tutorials Bare Bones from USC