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Need Help Searching the databases?

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Boolean Operators

To maximize the effectiveness and accuracy of your search, knowing how to use the Boolean Operators is essential. Boolean operators can be expressed as either keywords or symbols, and are used to evaluate expressions when determining an article match. The four boolean operators in the NDSU Library's Database Search Engine are AND, OR, NOT, and NEAR.

Keyword Symbol Description Example
and & searches for articles containing both the first and second word fargo and fire
fargo & fire
or | searches for articles containing either the first or second word fargo or fire
fargo | fire
not ! searches for articles containing the first word when not followed by, or related to, the second word fargo and not fire
fargo & ! fire
near searches for the first word followed, in near context, by the second word (within 50 words- the closer, the better) fargo near fire

Wildcard Operator

The wildcard operator allows one to type only the first few letters of a word and have the database return a search on all words beginning with those letters. The symbol defining a searched word as a wildcard is the asterisk (*).

    Example Search:. . . govern*

This example wildcard search of govern* would return matches on the words government, governor, governing, etc.

Free-Text Queries

The free-text query essentially allows one to ask the database a question in sentence form. Free-text queries do not search for exact words, but rather for similar meanings. When presented with a free-text query, the database will return a list of articles which mention the subject words as topics. To create a free-text query, proceed your subject words with the tag $contents

    Example Search:. . . $contents How high did the river rise in the 1997 flood?

Note: boolean, wildcard, and other keyword/symbol operators are ignored in free-text queries.

Advanced Query Tools:

Word Stemming- Word stemming is using two wildcard characters (asterisks) to take wildcards one step furthur. The inclusion of a second asterisk directs the database to search for all words which match the stem of the preceeding characters, thus creating a 'smart' wildcard.

Example:. typing fly** will return matches of words based on the same stem as fly, such as flying, flown, flew, etc.


Placing Precidence
with Parentheses-		 One can place precidence on a single word or phrase in a multi-idea search by using parentheses ( ). Words contained within parentheses are always evaluated before the other words in a query.

Example:. typing (Fargo Flood) Story places emphesis and precidence on Fargo Flood, where as the search without the parentheses would have places equal priority on the word Story

Ask the Reference Desk

We may be unable to respond to e-mail requests for individual help, or assist in answering complex questions, from those outside of our primary clientele. The primary clientele for NDSU Libraries Research Services are the students, staff, and faculty of North Dakota State University and the Tri-College Universities. Others might find their local library to be the best place to contact for assistance.

Extensive research services for non-primary clientele are available from DISC, our fee-based service. Call DISC at 701-231-8900 for information and costs.

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