Searching with Keywords and Boolean Operators

SUMMARY

If you are doing a literature review, this article shows you how to use “keywords” in search engine and database searching. Keywords are significant terms that can boost your information search process. Before you search, identify the “Keywords” related to your topic.

You can find Keywords in:

1. Research questions

2. Titles and articles from your background research

3. Bibliographies in related books and articles.

Other keyword tips:

- Identify synonyms of the term

- Differentiate similar, broader, narrower, and related terms

- Use Boolean Operators for searching

- Brainstorm keywords with a librarian, a teacher, or a friend

For more information, continue reading…

Definition of Keyword

It is an informative word used in an information retrieval system to indicate the content of a document.
It is a word (or phrases) that represents the main ideas in your research topic or question
It is a word exemplifying the meaning or value of a letter or symbol (Merriam-Webster)
It is a significant word from a title or document used especially as an index to content (Merriam Webster)
It is a word or concept of great significance

Most databases have a simple search engine, unlike Google’s smart and sophisticated one. They can’t comprehend full sentences and spelling mistakes. Because of that, as researchers, use appropriate “keywords” to retrieve the relevant information (journals, books, articles) you are looking for.

Identifying the Keywords of Your Research Topic

Before you search for information, identify the keywords related to your topic. Let me show you an example of keywords using this research question: “What are the significant effects of global warming on the lives of polar bears in the Arctic?”

The keywords are Global warming, Polar bears, and the Arctic.

Using the above keywords, you may search them in databases and search engines. To expand your search and if the above keywords aren’t enough, you can further identify the synonyms, narrower, broader, and related terms of the identified keywords. Here’s an example:

As you search, you will identify new keywords from the results, titles, subject terms, abstract, and articles. You can revise your searches with new keywords until you discover relevant sources.

Note:

In searching in simple databases, use synonyms because the database’s search engine only retrieves results that contain exact words used. If you don’t use synonyms, you can miss out on other relevant sources. You can combine keywords using Boolean Operators as well for more relevant results.

Combine Keywords with Boolean Operators

Many databases allow you to combine keywords using these Boolean Operators: AND, OR, and NOT.

AND = Using this will retrieve search results that include both of the terms.

Example: Polar Bears AND Global Warming (the yellow part represents the results)

OR = Using this will retrieve results that will include either of the terms. It is often applied to expand a search by linking synonymous terms (e.g., cars or automobiles).

Example: Polar Bears OR Global Warming (the results include both)

NOT = Using this term will exclude the other term.

Example:

Polar Bears NOT Global Warming

(the results exclude Global Warming in search results)

You may also use more than two keywords.

For example:

Polar Bear OR Global Warming OR Arctic

Note:

In popular smart search engines, you can use full sentences. But even if that’s the case, using related words may produce different search results. Try using the lessons in this article in your search for literature and other information. Try to experiment and compare the search results as well in search engines using similar terms. The same search strategies may work in other databases.

Confused? Send us a message through messenger or email.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse