1. Boolean your Google Search
Charlotte Gill
Research Librarian, Law
Appropriate Use of Electronic Resources Policy
Slides prepared by Nerissa Tan Yin Shi

2. To ensure search results include all of the
search words
Use separate quotation marks “_” for
both search words
“A” “B”: both A and B must be present
Appropriate Use of Electronic Resources Policy
Boolean Searching
Exact word search

3. e.g. “arbitration” “enforceability”
(equivalent to searching
arbitration AND enforceability
both ‘arbitration’ and ‘enforceability will
appear in search result)
Appropriate Use of Electronic Resources Policy
Exact word search
Boolean Searching

4. Search for synonyms, autonyms,
alternatives, and abbreviations
Use OR (in caps) between search words
A OR B: Either A or B is present
Appropriate Use of Electronic Resources Policy
Boolean Searching

5. Search for synonyms, autonyms,
alternatives, and abbreviations
e.g. lawyer OR counsel OR advocate
(only one of the three words will appear
in search result)
Appropriate Use of Electronic Resources Policy
Boolean Searching

6. Phrase searching
To search for two or more words in an exact
and specified order
Enclose phrase with quotation marks “_”
“A B” : A B must be present
Appropriate Use of Electronic Resources Policy
Boolean Searching

7. Phrase searching
e.g. “charitable trust”
(equivalent to searching the exact
phrase “charitable trust”)
Appropriate Use of Electronic Resources Policy
Boolean Searching

8. Proximity operators
To search for results that contain search
words that appear within N words of each
other:
Use AROUND(N) in between search
words
A AROUND(3) B: A will appear within 3
words or less of B in search result
Appropriate Use of Electronic Resources Policy
Boolean Searching

9. Proximity operators
e.g. charitable AROUND/5 trust
(‘trust’ will appear within 5 words or less
of ‘charitable’ in search result)
Appropriate Use of Electronic Resources Policy
Boolean Searching

10. Combination of search techniques
For more complex searches, use a
combination of the above techniques for the
most accurate result
Using OR and “_” together in one search
Appropriate Use of Electronic Resources Policy
Boolean Searching

11. Combination of search techniques
e.g. (arbitration OR negotiation OR
mediation) “alternative dispute
resolution”
(This will retrieve results with the exact
phrase alternative dispute resolution
and only one of the words arbitration,
negotiation or mediation)
Appropriate Use of Electronic Resources Policy
Boolean Searching

12. Need more help?
Email: libresearch@smu.edu.sg
Appropriate Use of Electronic Resources Policy