Boolean Logic/Boolean Searching

Help using Boolean operators for a successful online or database search

The Boolean is Dead, Long Live the Boolean! Natural Language versus Boolean Searching in Introductory Undergraduate Instruction

Boolean logic can be a difficult concept for first-year, introductory students to grasp. This paper compares the results of Boolean and natural language searching across several databases with searches created from student research questions. Performance differences between databases varied. Overall, natural search language is at least as good as Boolean searching. With evidence that students struggle to grasp Boolean searching, and may not use it even after instruction, it could be left out of first-year instruction, freeing up valuable class time to focus on concepts such as question development and source evaluation. As the Framework for Information Literacy does not specifically address Boolean operators, the authors suggest it should have less prominence in first-year Information Literacy instruction

Creating a Comprehensive Review of the Literature

Research normally begins by doing a “review of the literature” to see what has already been written and to determine “gaps” in the literature for further research. This handout reviews ways to search for books, scholarly articles, dissertations, and grey literature on any topic using our library subscription resources

The Big Match - Lexis v Westlaw

Lexis and Westlaw are the biggest names in subscription legal database provision. The author provides a comparative critical examination from his experience is of academic subscriptions to the services - including their American academic contentPreprint of an article by Paul Norman, former Reference and Online Services Librarian at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, published in Legal Information Management, the journal of the British and Irish Association of Law Librarian

Use of the Online Public Access Catalogue in Agricultural University

This paper examines Online Public Access Catalogue of MPKV University Library, Rahuri. OPAC is an information retrieval system, has revolutionized access to bibliographic information through search capabilities such as keyword searching, Boolean searching, truncation, proximity searching, and item identity number searches. The paper discusses various aspects of OPAC such as how to search, options of OPAC use etc., application of open source software (Koha) as a form of resource sharing tool and a single authoritative source of MPKV University library resources

Subject searching requirements : the HILT II experience

The HILT Phase II project aimed to develop a pilot terminologies server with a view to improving cross-sectoral information retrieval. In order to inform this process, it was first necessary to examine how a representative group of users approached a range of information-related tasks. This paper focuses on exploratory interviews conducted to investigate the proposed ideal and actual strategies of a group of 30 users in relation to eight separate information tasks. In addition, users were asked to give examples of search terms they may employ and to describe how they would formulate search queries in each scenario. The interview process undertaken and the results compiled are outlined, and associated implications for the development of a pilot terminologies server are discussed

Go-To Resources for the Non-FCIL Librarian

DipLawMatic Dialogues is a blog published by the FCIL Special Interest Section of the American Association of Law Libraries

Sources of information for technology intelligence in chemical formulation

This article delineates the chemical formulation field and presents the sources of information, formal and informal, related with technological intelligence in the design of chemical formulations. Furthermore elements are provided for technology strategy integration through the formation of technological maps. In addition relevant databases and web sites were identified: scientific, intellectual property, as well as industry and enterprise specific databases. A technologist must have a panoramic view of the information available and an understanding for the databases structure to conduct the required tests by using Boolean Searching techniques and taking advantage of iterative search strategies. With this, a technologist can choose those sources that are pertinent to chemical product formulation research projects

Sources of information for technology intelligence in chemical formulation

This article delineates the chemical formulation field and presents the sources of information, formal and informal, related with technological intelligence in the design of chemical formulations. Furthermore elements are provided for technology strategy integration through the formation of technological maps. In addition relevant databases and web sites were identified: scientific, intellectual property, as well as industry and enterprise specific databases. A technologist must have a panoramic view of the information available and an understanding for the databases structure to conduct the required tests by using Boolean Searching techniques and taking advantage of iterative search strategies. With this, a technologist can choose those sources that are pertinent to chemical product formulation research projects.ITESO, A.C