Boolean Searching

An Introduction

Developed by C.A.GavinCSU, Bakersfield, 2006

Boolean Searching

1. Write a clear statement about topic

2. Divide topic statement into concepts

3. Select words to express each concept

1. Write a Clear Statement of Topic

Phrase: the media cause eating disorders

Question: Are the media to blame for eating disorders?

Thesis: The media are not wholly responsible for eating disorders.

Topic: Eating Disorders

2. Divide topic into concepts

Are the media to blame for eating disorders?

mediaAND

eating disorde

rs

1. Write a clear statement about topic

2. Divide topic into concepts

3. Select words to express each concept

Boolean Searching

3. Select words to express concept.

Are the media to blame for eating disorders?

AND

mediaOR

television OR

advertising

eating disordersOR

bulimaOR

anorexia

Boolean Operators

AND: to combine concepts

OR: to combine synonyms

1. Write a Clear Statement of Topic

Phrase: violent TV programs and kids

Question: Do kids act violently after watching violent TVprograms?

Thesis: Many researchers have shown that kids act violently after watching violent TV.

Topic: Television

2. Select words to Express Concepts

ANDkids

AND

Do kids act violently after watching violent TV?

TV violence

3. Select words to Express Concept

ANDAND

kidsOr

childrenOr

juveniles

TVor

television

violenceor

aggressionor

hostility

Do kids act violently after watching violent TV?

Write a Topic Statement

What types of treatment are available to teenswho have attempted suicide?

Divide Statement into Concepts

What types of treatment are available to teenswho have attempted suicide?

ANDANDtreatment teens

suicide

Select words to Express Concept

What types of treatment are available to teenswho have attempted suicide?

ANDAND

treatmentor

therapyor

psychotherapyor

counseling

teensor

young adultsor

adolescents

suicideor

self-murderor

self-destruct

Examples TITLE Principles of therapy: applications to suicide and trauma in schools PERSONAL AUTHOR Leenaars, Antoon A; Wenckstern, Susanne SOURCE Death Studies.v. 22 no4 June '98 p. 357-91. ABSTRACT The writers discuss the basic guiding principles of therapy and its applications to suicide and trauma in schools. They contend that these principles are heuristic and that there is no set formula for dealing with traumatic events such as suicide. They conclude that a great deal of effort is needed by both researchers and clinicians to help avoid past errors in the field. DESCRIPTORS Posttraumatic stress disorder; Counseling with youth; Grief counseling; Adolescent psychology; Suicide ; Death Psychological aspects .

Summary: Boolean Searching

1. Write a clear statement of topic.

2. Divide topic statement into concepts

3. Select words to express each concept.