Boolean Logic Combining search statements using Boolean operators

Boolean searching - OR In database searching OR expands a search by broadening the set. It is often used to combine synonyms or like concepts. Example 1. Use Boolean logic to describe an ice cream lover with global tastes (the coloured area) Strawberry OR chocolate OR vanilla Bolean Logic 2

Boolean searching - AND In database searching AND narrows a search. It is often used for linking together different concepts. Example 2. Use Boolean logic to describe an ice cream lover who only eats ice cream which combines 3 flavours at the same time e. g. Neopolitan ripple (the coloured area) Strawberry AND chocolate AND vanilla Bolean Logic 3

Boolean searching - NOT In database searching, NOT is used to get rid of an unwanted concept. Example 3. Use Boolean logic to describe an ice cream lover who won’t eat chocolate (the coloured area) (Strawberry OR vanilla) NOT chocolate But BEWARE! – you may also exclude relevant articles. Bolean Logic 4

Boolean searching PARENTHESES Parentheses define the order in which the concepts are processed. – AND takes priority – OR is processed last SALMONELLA HAMBURGERS EGGS Use parentheses to ensure terms are processed as intended Bolean Logic 5

Some examples Example 4: Find information on the influence of eggs on salmonella food poisoning caused by hamburgers • salmonella AND hamburgers AND eggs = food poisoning caused by both together • (hamburgers OR eggs) AND salmonella = food poisoning caused by either • hamburgers OR eggs AND salmonella = Do you want eggs and gastro with your hamburger, or would you rather have fries? • (hamburgers AND salmonella) NOT eggs = = only food poisoning caused by hamburgers (removing the confounding effect of having eggs at the same time) Bolean Logic 6

A more complex example Use Boolean logic to describe: Breast Cancer Women who have breast cancer but have never smoked Smokers Women who have breast cancer and who are EXsmokers Women Ex-smokers Bolean Logic 7

A more complex example Women who have breast cancer but have never smoked Breast Cancer Smokers = (women AND breast cancer) NOT smokers Women Bolean Logic Ex-smokers 8

A more complex example Women who have breast cancer and who are EXsmokers Breast Cancer Smokers = women AND breast cancer AND ex-smokers Women Bolean Logic Ex-smokers 9

Another complex example Men who have breast cancer and who currently smoke Breast Cancer Smokers = (men AND breast cancer AND smokers) NOT ex-smokers Women Bolean Logic Ex-smokers 10

Reference: Henderson J & Strickland J. Ithaca College Library Research Guide: Boolean Logic. Accessed at: http: //www. ithacalibrary. com/sp/subjects/boolean on January 24, 2010 Bolean Logic 11