Using advanced search techniques helps you get more accurate and relevant results when searching library databases, catalogues and search engines. Here are the most useful tools to know:
Boolean operators are words you use to connect your search terms. The most common are AND, OR, and NOT.
AND narrows your search by combining different concepts.
Example: Instagram AND self-esteem AND university students
This finds results that include all three terms.
OR broadens your search by including synonyms or related terms.
Example: self-esteem OR self-worth OR self-image
This finds results that include any of the terms.
NOT excludes terms you don’t want.
Example: Instagram NOT Facebook
This removes results that mention Facebook.
Tip: Use parentheses to group OR terms together.
Example: (Instagram OR social media) AND (self-esteem OR self-image)
McMaster University Libraries. (2019, November 28). How library stuff works: Boolean operators (AND OR NOT) [Video]. YouTube.
Truncation lets you search for multiple word endings using a symbol, usually an asterisk (*).
Example: student* finds student, students, student’s, studenting (if it exists).
Example: psycholog* finds psychology, psychologist, psychological, etc.
This is useful when you want to include all variations of a word.
Use quotation marks to search for exact phrases.
Example: "social media use"
This finds results with that exact phrase, not just the individual words.
McMaster University Libraries. (2016, November 28). How library stuff works: Boolean modifiers "", *, ( ) [Video]. YouTube.
Discovery and some databases let you search within specific fields like title, author or subject. These usually appear as drop-down menus beside the search boxes on the advanced search screen.
Example: self-esteem [in Subject] AND Instagram [in Title]
This helps you target your search more precisely.
After running a search, use filters to narrow your results by:
Date
Peer-reviewed status
Source type (e.g., journal articles, books)
Language