Module Four Boolean Searching Task

Boolean Logic refers to a set of options useable during an internet search to construct logical relationships between search terms and specify and focus search terms.

Boolean Logic consists of three logic operators:
1. OR - This operator will return on at least one of the search terms (College OR University)
2. AND - This operator will return on all of the search terms (College AND University)
3. NOT - This operator will exclude search terms placed after NOT (eg; Bowl NOT Rose)

Few search engines offer full Boolean search capabilities. Hunting down a serach engine that does it is the only way to find one. Most search engines offer Implied Boolean Logic ( a search were symbols are placed in with the search terms to prompt a Boolean operator) or template language (a search engine will offer a menu of Boolean options) .

Symbols

( ) or " " - force the search engine to give results where the search terms are in the order specified inside these symbols. If additional search terms are added outside these symbols, the search engine will address the terms inside the symbols first and in the order which they appear.

A Blank space in between search terms will be automatically assumed as an "AND".

+ - AND

- - NOT


Boolean operators
Dogpile Google [OR only] Ixquick

Full Boolean logic with parentheses, e.g., behavior and (cats or felines)
AlltheWeb Advanced Search AltaVista Advanced Web Search Ixquick Live Search

Implied Boolean +/-
Most search engines offer this option

Boolean logicusing search form terminology
Most advanced search options offer this, including:AllTheWeb Advanced Search AltaVista Advanced Web Search AOL Advanced Search Ask.com Advanced Search Google Advanced Search Yahoo Advanced Web Search

Proximity operators
Exalead Google [by default] Ixquick


Taking the same key words of your last search, think about how you would best search for the following:

the biggest number of hits relating to these key words

Parenthesis or " " outside the search terms. NOT Help as many of the results are help lines for problem gamblers.

information most relevant to what you ACTUALLY wanted to look for!

Again in parenthesis or " " "Operant conditioning in problem gambling" as well as "Classical conditioning in problem gambling". This focuses the search to the exact area's I need information about.

information coming only from university sources

Select a specialized database or library database. Or Search within a University search engine.
Use search terms like " university research on problem gambling" or 'university +gambling -help.

Concept :Virtually a Library?

Key focus points

• The Internet is often described to new comers as a virtual library. This description is useful to quickly (and very very broadly) explain the Internet. This description is very broadly true only in that the Internet does operate with some loose and massiveley differing types of catagories and classifications.
• The Internet is too broad and flexible to be strictly placed into catagories and classifications. The Internet has no "shared system" of classification or catagory.
• The type of 'library' an advanced Internet user can develop is their own by manipulating and exploiting the www and Internet to suit their own unique and individual needs.