Boolean Logic

Three important words:

AND

 

Cation and Chromatography

 

retreives only articles which mention both words

Therefore NARROWS your topic.

OR

Cation or Anion

 

retrieves all articles which mention either word

Therefore broadens your topic.

Always use OR for synonyms.

 

NOT

Cation not Calcium

retrieves only articles which mention the word Cation but do NOT mention Calcium

This narrows your topic but may eliminate items needed.

Many databases, including SciFinder Scholar no longer require you to use this terminology, rather they are programmed to use it "behind the scenes".  An understanding of what goes on makes it easier to understand the results of your searches.  All searches marked "Natural Language" or "Guided" will still apply Boolean logic to your requests. 

How to truncate your searches.

Main Page.

Marion Muskiewicz 2/16/00