Q. How do I use Boolean commands in database searches?

Please see the library's Database Searching Basics for detailed tips on using Boolean operators (AND, OR) to search in the library databases.

In general, a simple, effective Boolean search can look like this, if your topic is women filmmakers and the Oscars.

• "women filmmakers" AND Oscars

The Boolean operator AND tells the library database to retrieve articles that contain both keyword concepts: women filmmakers; Oscars.

Note, too, that in a Boolean search, we use quotation marks around keyword phrases of two or more words: "women filmmakers"

You can widen your results by adding equivalent keywords linked by OR:

• ("women filmmakers" OR "women directors") AND (Oscars OR "Academy Awards")

Note that we use parentheses around keywords linked by OR, so that the database carries out our search logically.