Keyword Boolean Search
See also:   Boolean Operators | Field Codes

1. Choose Keyword Boolean Search from the Search by: options
2. Type in keywords or phrases into the Search for: box.
3. Use the Boolean operators and, or, not between individual keywords and phrases.
   • The operator and helps to narrow a search by combining terms (both terms must be present).

     For example, democrat and republican

   • The operator or helps to expand a search by including additional words (either one or the other or both may be present).

     For example, democrat or republican

   • You can combine operators to build a precise search

     For example, (democrat and republican) and (conservative not monarchist)

   • To search a phrase or hyphenated term, enclose it in quotation marks.

     For example: "web publishing" and "on-line"

   • To truncate use ?

     For example: publish? finds publisher, publishers, publishing.

     You can truncate a phrase: "school district?"

     but internal truncation is not possible in phrase searches: "peptide? synthes?" does not work

4. If you wish you may limit your search by options from the Set Single Limit drop down menu
   or the button.
5. Click or press the ENTER key.

Field Codes

Field codes specify the part of the bibliographic record within which a keyword appears. You use field codes to specify where an individual keyword appears in the bibliographic record.

1. Type the appropriate field code before your search term in order to limit the search to a particular field of the record.

   For example: skey internet and pubd 1996

2. Click the "Search" button to begin your search. Click the "Reset" button to clear the search page.

Boolean Operators

Boolean Operators (and, or, not) allow you to search for combinations of words or phrases.

Boolean Operator	Examples	Retrieves
and	rodgers and hammerstein children and poverty	Retrieves records containing both terms.
or	sixties or 60s or 1960s labor or labour	Retrieves records containing either one or both terms.
not	caribbean not cuba	Excludes records containing the second term.

• Go to   Guide to PILOT, Table of Contents

Send comments and suggestions to Dick Swain, rswain@wcupa.edu

These pages last updated on 14 December 2000