Basic Database Syntax

All databases are different. Always consult your Help screens for database protocals and specific syntax. Here are some general guidelines.

Boolean Operators

Some databases only understand Boolean operators if they are typed in ALL CAPS, some don't. No database loses its ability to understand Boolean operators because of CAPS, so it is suggested that you always type them in ALL CAPS.

Parentheses

Parentheses are used to group sets together that are combined with the Boolean operator OR. It is similar to set algebra. In the search (senior citizens OR elderly) AND (abuse OR neglect) the computer first adds together all of the records dealing with either senior citizens or the elderly, and in a separate set adds together all records dealing with abuse or neglect. Then the computer sees where the intersection is between the two sets.

Truncation

Most databases support truncation. It is the substitute of a wildcard character to stand for alternate endings to be attached to a stem-word. Check your Help screens for truncation or wild-card to find out what character is used. The two most common are ? and * For example: alcohol? retrieves alcohol, alcoholic, alcoholism. Be careful though, substituting pol? for political OR politics also retrieves police.

Phrase Searching\

Phrase searching is when the database only looks for words in a certain order, such as searching by the phrase "united states" would only retrieve those items with the word "united" next to the word "state." Some databases assume phrase searching, others mandate that phrases be typed within quotation marks.

Proximity Locators

Some non-indexed full-text databases (like Academic Universe - Lexis/Nexis) use proximity locators. These protocols substitute for the Boolean Operator AND. They specify that words must exist within a specified proximity to one another. For example, within the same paragraph. Check the Help screens to see which protocols are used.