Google boolean search functions1/28/2024 W n Within operator Finds the words if they are within n words of one another and in the order in which you entered them. (decision* N3 (aid* OR support*)) retrieves records that contain phrases with up to three words between decision and either aid* or support*, in either direction. N n Near operator Retrieves records that contain your terms (in any order) with up to n words between them e.g. “ “ Finds exact expression by default, CINAHL will search for keywords in the entered order even if no quotes are used e.g. “occupational therap*” will give the same number of results as occupational therap* () specifies the order of the search e.g. standardi?ed retrieves standardised or standardized Note: Question marks at the end of a word are NOT treated as wildcards they are automatically removed # within a word or at the end of a word to replace zero or one character e.g. ? within a word to replace a single character e.g. computer* retrieves computer, computers, computerised, etc. * At the end of string of characters, retrieves all variations starting with that string can also be used within words to find multiple characters, or between words to replace a single word e.g. computer* retrieves computer, computers, computerised, computerized, etc. For more information, please see the search tips (below or within the database/platform help files) on wildcard/truncation options available in commonly used databases or platforms in health sciencesĮ.g. Asterisk *ĭepending on the database or platform, use before (uncommon feature, available in Web of Science and Scopus, for example), within (as a wildcard, depends on database/platform), or at the end of a word root or string (most common option) to replace zero to multiple characters. Please see the database-specific operators and fields for more information. The asterisk is the most common truncation symbol.ĭepending on the platform you are using to search a given database (e.g., EBSCOhost, Ovid, ProQuest), other truncation and wildcard symbols may be available to use, for example, within words. Truncation symbols are shortcut characters which can help to include variations of your text word without having to type each variation into the search separately. Parentheses work in most but not all systems (e.g., they work on the Ovid, PubMed, EBSCOhost, ProQuest, Scopus, and Web of Science platforms, but they are ignored in Google and Google Scholar)Į.g., (chest OR thorax OR thoracic) AND (imaging OR radiographs OR radiography) Use parentheses to set the order of execution of the Boolean logic. Please see the database-specific operators and search fields.e.g., on the Ovid platform, adjn is used: primary adj3 care.The operator, if available, is dependent on the database and platform being searched.Many bibliographic databases also allow use of proximity operators.we do not usually recommend that you use NOT in your searches, as you may exclude relevant results.retrieves records that contain your first term but exclude your second term.retrieves records that include all of your search terms.retrieves records that contain at least one of your search terms.In some platforms or search systems, it does not matter whether you enter them in uppercase or lowercase, but others (like Google Scholar) require them to be in uppercase to work properly. Note: Capitalize your operators as a matter of practice. Refer to the database help files to find out if and how Boolean operators are supported.Some databases will have a different syntax to enter an operator, for example in Scopus, NOT is entered as AND NOT.Boolean operators work in many but not all databases, and not all operators may be available.
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