Boolean Combinations and Search Limitations

With the expansion of technology every year it is now possible to search more efficiently over multiple databases using several different techniques in order to zero in on the best available sources. Among these techniques are Boolean combinations of terms, component word searching within controlled subject strings, word truncation, proximity searches, and limitations of sets by various specifications like language, date, geographic area code, and document type. Boolean combinations consist of databases using multiple search elements within one inquiry. In other words, the first term you put in is searched completely, and then the second term is searched, followed by the computer cross-referencing the two together to better the search and lessen your options. More then two words can be used and is very common in most databases. In order to make the search more efficient, you can also add the terms AND, OR, or NOT into the search which can help exclude certain useless material, search alternate names, or search for items that must contain both words. The asterisk (*) is important to use in searches also because it can be used to search for words that have multiple ends such as auto*, which would include automobiles and automotive. Component Word Searching within Controlled Subject Strings can help find headings that could otherwise be overlooked such as looking up African Americans and television you would then come across Oprah Winfrey articles that you might not see otherwise. Limiting by Time Periods is valuable for searches within certain time frames because you might want articles dealing with 9-11 that were written immediately after the towers fell so you would look up 2001 specifically. Everything from 2002 to the present will be excluded so you will have fewer clusters to work through and you are right where you want to be already. Proximity searches are useful because it allows the use of quotations and can help narrowing searches by allowing you to search with certain word orders. For example, the “philosophy of history” and the “history of philosophy” are two very different things. By limiting the word order, you make sure the information you are reading is valuable to what you need.

This is all very useful knowledge because I have constantly found myself going through a lot of useless information because I had no idea of the limitations of the databases and ways to narrow my searches. Now I know how to search within specific time periods, how to eliminate certain words from the topic, and by using a * for words with multiple endings I can widen my search without having to try and think of every word or worry about leaving useful information out of searches. Now when researching papers or just trying to find information for my own personal pleasure I know the backdoors to the searches, what to look for that might be limiting the searches, and what is letting in excess material that is useless or unrelated.