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Boolean: AND OR NOT
Phrase Searching and Nesting
Combine Search Terms
Boolean Operators
Boolean Operators are words (AND, OR, NOT) that combine or exclude keywords in a search. Of course you will want to use Education related keywords. This example illustrates how to include or remove subjects with keywords.
AND narrows your search
- "Malcolm X" AND biography finds resources with both terms
OR broadens your search
- "Malcom X" OR literarcy finds resources with either term or both terms
NOT excludes terms
- "Malcolm X" NOT "Denzel Washington" excludes all books with the term "Denzel Washington"
Example Search in CINAHL
PICO: In older adults living in assisted living, does horticulture therapy versus no horticulture therapy lead to better mental health?
Search String (with Subject Headings)
( (MH "Horticulture") OR horticulture therapy OR gardening ) AND ( (MH "Psychological Well-Being") OR (MH "Well-Being (Iowa NOC)") OR (MH "Psychological Well-Being (Iowa NOC) ") OR (MH "Quality of Life ") OR depression or "depressive disorder" OR loneliness OR well-being )
Search Log (with Subject Headings)
Keywords and Subject Headings |
Limiters / Facets |
Results |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Line 1 |
(MH "Horticulture") OR "horticulture therapy" OR gardening |
2019-present Academic journals Aged: 65+ Aged: 80+ |
|
|
Line 2 [AND] |
(MH "Psychological Well-Being") OR (MH "Well-Being (Iowa NOC)") OR (MH "Psychological Well-Being (Iowa NOC)+") OR (MH "Quality of Life+") OR depression or "depressive disorder" OR loneliness OR well-being OR (MH "Depression+") |
||
Search in CINAHL using lines
Search log template
- Krueger Library Search Log Templates (Basic)A basic search log template to track databases, keywords, Subject Headings, limiters and results lists.
