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Research Process

These pages offer an introduction to the research process at a very general level.

Boolean Operators

Library databases use Boolean operators to combine keywords in database searches. The Boolean Operators use the words AND, OR, NOT to combine keywords and thus broaden or narrow your search results. Here are some examples of these operators:

Image of an example Venn Diagram illustrating the Boolean operator AND.

Using the Boolean Operator AND will narrow your search results. In this case, using AND will retrieve search results containing both keywords globalization and human rights.

 Image illustrating the Boolean operator OR.

Using the Boolean Operator OR will broaden your search results. In this case, using OR will retrieve search results containing either the keywords globalization or human rights.

Image illustrating the Boolean operator OR.

Using the Boolean Operator NOT will narrow your search results. In this case, using NOT will retrieve search results containing the keyword globalization but will not retrieve search results containing the keyword human rights.

For more information about Boolean operators and how to effectively use them, see the following:

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