smarter internet searching boolean operators. 11/14/2009mrs. rooley what are boolean operators? fthe...
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Smarter Internet Searching
Smarter Internet Searching
Boolean Operators Boolean Operators
11/14/200911/14/2009 Mrs. RooleyMrs. Rooley
What are Boolean operators?
What are Boolean operators?
The terms “AND, OR, & NOT” when used in Internet searches are called Boolean operators
The terms “AND, OR, & NOT” when used in Internet searches are called Boolean operators
Why do we call them “Boolean?”
Why do we call them “Boolean?”
George Boole was an English mathematician who lived from 1815-1864
He invented a branch of mathematics called Boolean algebra
His theories formed the basis for using Boolean operators in Internet searches
George Boole was an English mathematician who lived from 1815-1864
He invented a branch of mathematics called Boolean algebra
His theories formed the basis for using Boolean operators in Internet searches
How do you use Boolean operators?
How do you use Boolean operators?
Using AND:Using AND narrows a search by
combining terms; it will bring back documents that use both the search terms you put in,
for example: Portland AND Oregon
Using AND:Using AND narrows a search by
combining terms; it will bring back documents that use both the search terms you put in,
for example: Portland AND Oregon
Using OR
Using OR broadens a search to include results that contain either of the words you type in. OR is a good tool to use when there are several common spellings or synonyms of a word, for example
Theatre OR theater
Using OR
Using OR broadens a search to include results that contain either of the words you type in. OR is a good tool to use when there are several common spellings or synonyms of a word, for example
Theatre OR theater
Using NOT Using Not will narrow a search by
keeping out certain search terms. NOT brings back documents that contain one, but not the other,of the search terms you enter, for example:
Jazz NOT Music
Using NOT Using Not will narrow a search by
keeping out certain search terms. NOT brings back documents that contain one, but not the other,of the search terms you enter, for example:
Jazz NOT Music
Here’s another way to think about it: Here’s another way to think about it:
Search results are shown in green
Using Or
Using NOT Using NOT
Diagrams from http://tlt.its.psu.edu/suggestions/databases/search/booleansearch.html
Mini Quiz Mini Quiz
Which will get you the MOST results:
A. ANDB. ORC. NOT
Which will get you the MOST results:
A. ANDB. ORC. NOT
Answer: B. OR
Let’s practice together:
Let’s practice together:
Now let’s try it on the Internet with Google:
Now let’s try it on the Internet with Google:
Smarter SearchingSmarter Searching
1. List 5 topics you want to know more about.
2. List three key words that could be used to find information about each topic.
EX. Swimmers, Olympic Swimmers, World Record Swimmers, Women Swimmers, etc.
1. List 5 topics you want to know more about.
2. List three key words that could be used to find information about each topic.
EX. Swimmers, Olympic Swimmers, World Record Swimmers, Women Swimmers, etc.
Using ANDUsing AND
Choose one of your topics, What can you add to your search to get better results?
Try a one word search, then try adding AND and a second word.
Draw a Venn diagram showing your results. Label the circles and give a specific example of one of your search results.
Choose one of your topics, What can you add to your search to get better results?
Try a one word search, then try adding AND and a second word.
Draw a Venn diagram showing your results. Label the circles and give a specific example of one of your search results.
Using ORUsing OR
Now do the same search using the OR operator between your two keywords.
Describe what happened.Draw a Venn Diagram showing the results.
Now do the same search using the OR operator between your two keywords.
Describe what happened.Draw a Venn Diagram showing the results.
Using NOTUsing NOT
Search Google for ‘jaguar’, ‘mustang’ or ‘explorer’. What are your results?
Now search these terms adding ‘NOT cars’. What is the difference?
Search Google for ‘jaguar’, ‘mustang’ or ‘explorer’. What are your results?
Now search these terms adding ‘NOT cars’. What is the difference?
Shortcuts Shortcuts
Not all search engines use Boolean operators in the same way
You can use shortcuts in Google:
+ for AND - for NOT
Not all search engines use Boolean operators in the same way
You can use shortcuts in Google:
+ for AND - for NOT
Let’s practice some more together
:
Let’s practice some more together
:
Now you’re going to try it on your
own!
Now you’re going to try it on your
own!