## 2.2 : How can I combine search terms?

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It is NOT enough just to type in every possible search term at random. To find specific and targeted information about your subject, you have to combine your search terms.

There are four important techniques to accomplish this:

1. Boolean operators;
2. Truncation symbols (only for use in databases);
3. Exact word combinations;
4. Search field selections.

#### 2.2.1 : Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT)

Boolean operators help narrow or broaden a search by using them between search terms. There are three Boolean operators: AND, OR, and NOT.

AND

AND means that all words must be shown. The AND relation is used to link two or more different subjects. This limits the search results in comparison to searching for a single term.

For example: You are looking for a camping site on one of the Wadden Islands.
The search terms and relation are: campings AND Wadden Islands (in Dutch: Waddeneilanden)

OR

OR specifies that at least one of the words will turn up in your search. The OR relation is used when you are working with synonyms or near synonyms and different spelling variations. The search result will be expanded in comparison to searching for one word.

For example, besides camping sites, you would also like to search for hotels.
The search terms and relation are: campings OR hotels.

NOT

NOT means that the specified word may not turn up in the results; The NOT relation is used when you want to exclude a specific word, the search results are limited.

For example, you do not necessarily want to go to Texel.
The search terms and relation are; Waddeneilanden NOT Texel.

Tips!

- Do not confuse search terms with everyday speech. If you say, 'I want to know everything about cats and dogs', you will end up searching for information about cats or dogs, or both pets. In this case, the 'and' from everyday speech acts the same as the Boolean OR operator.
- If you combine several Boolean operators, use brackets. These indicate the priority of the search terms within the brackets and clarify the search. Brackets indicate which words belong together, these are often words that pertain to the same subject or that have to do with one another (e.g. synonyms, singular/plural): e.g. (camping sites OR hotels) AND Wadden islands.
- Be sure to type AND or NOT with capital letters. Capital letters are often obligatory with, for instance, a search engine.

#### 2.2.2 : Truncations symbols (wild cards)

Truncation is the replacement of a portion of a word with a wild card: the truncation symbol. This means that you search for words beginning or ending with the typed word. See the manual of the file you are searching in for which signs to use for truncation. Frequently a * is used. Other possible truncation symbols include '?' of '@'.

If you insert a truncation symbol after a word, or a part of a word, your search will be based on what you have typed and everything that comes after it. For example, sustain* provides results for: sustain, sustainable ande sustainability.

If you insert a truncation symbol before a word, or a portion of a word, your search will be based on what you have typed and everything that comes before it. For example, *food will provide results for food, fastfood, biofood and seafood

Note: The majority of databases and catalogues do not allow you to insert a truncation symbol both before and after a word.

Tip! The trick is not to truncate the word too early or too late. For example, if you're searching for information about 'demography', type 'demograph*' not 'demo*'. This search also finds demonstrate, demonstration, demones, democracy etc.

Note: You cannot truncate words if you are using a search engine.

#### 2.2.3 : Exact word combination (phrase search)

If you only want to receive search results that contain the indicated search terms in the exact same order place your search terms between double quotation marks (".....").

This if often the case for terms that consist of more than one word, such as "food design". Without quotes it is interpreted as food AND design. With quotes it is interpreted as food design.

Tip! An exact word combination is actually a strict version of the Boolean AND operator. The search terms do, however, need to be next to one another. Another difference is that the search term order is not random; you determine it.

#### 2.2.4 : Search fields

Advanced searches often allow you to indicate which fields you would like to search in. For instance, you can indicate that you only want to search in the 'title' field