Boolean Search Operators - Boolean search operators are both words and symbols that tell a database exactly how you want to search for your keywords.
AND – Use between words when you want both of them to appear in the same article
OR – Use between words when they are interchangeable, AKA synonyms or related terms.
NOT – Use to eliminate a particular word from your search result. Use this one sparingly because it can often remove relevant results accidentally. For example: United States NOT China
Parenthesis () – Use around multiple keywords that are combined with OR to indicate a group that is interchangeable. For example: (computerization OR automation)
Quotations “” – Use around words that must appear together in order to make a recognizable phrase. For example: “skilled labor”
Asterisk * - Use to get multiple endings of a word. Chop off the ending of your original word to get other variations. Remove the “ion” from automation and add the asterisk to get both automation and automate. For example: automat*
Examples:
Manufacturing AND Automation
“Skilled Labor” AND (computerize* OR automat*)
“Universal Basic Income” AND (“United States” OR US) AND (Computerization OR Automation)
