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Boolean Operators & Search Modifiers

Boolean searching involves connecting terms and concepts using the words AND, OR, and NOT in order to narrow or expand your search. Use AND to connect different main concepts in your research question/topic and refine your search results (internet AND bullying). Use OR to connect like terms or synonyms to expand your search results ("artificial intelligence" OR AI). Use NOT to remove unwanted terms from your search results (biology NOT marine).

Quotation marks can be used to tell the databases to search for exact phrases, names, and multi-word terms.  "artificial intelligence" "Sigmund Freud" "human immunodeficiency virus  Truncation is a technique used to broaden your search. Truncation searches multiple forms of a root word to include various word endings and spellings. To use truncation, enter the base word and put the truncation symbol at the end (usually an *asterisk). The results will include any ending of that root word. Truncation symbols vary by database and website but are most commonly: *, !, ? Example: child* = child, child's, children, childhood Parentheses determine the order in which the database will search terms and Boolean Operators.  Searching for supply AND (chain OR network) will return results that include the word supply, plus either the word chain or the word network, or both. Searching for car AND ("artificial intelligence" OR AI) will return results that include the word car, plus either the phrase artificial intelligence or the word AI, or both.

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Parts of an Empirical Article

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Infographic detailing the parts of an empirical article: Citation Usually found at the top of an article, the citation information includes the authors’ names, article title, journal information, and DOI. Abstract A brief paragraph positioned before the article, summarizing the content of the article, usually 200 words or less, giving a comprehensive overview of the study and results. Introduction Introduces the broad overall topic, states the reason for the research, gives background information, and may include or be followed by a literature review. Provides purpose, context, and focus for rest of article by identifying literature gaps and importance of the current study. Methodology May include these sections: Study Sample - who/what is being studied Data Collection - describes method used to gather information or data Measures - describes means used for measuring data Ethical/Safety - anything done to ensure safety of study participants (human or animal) Results Results of the research are presented. Summarizes the findings using text, charts, graphs, and tables. Should focus only on results that are directly related to the research or problem. Discussion/Conclusion Analyzes the findings and discusses the implication or significance for the field. Should include how the study relates to previous research, any cautions about the findings, and potential future research. References An alphabetical listing of all works cited and utilized in the article. Formatting will depend on the discipline of study and/or the journal in which the article is published. National University Library

Verifying AI Citations

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