Using Boolean search syntax (AND, OR, NOT) will bypass features of the inKUire relevancy system (for example, stemming, proper name matching and so on). As a result, Boolean results will not mirror the results of non-Boolean queries. Boolean searches, depending on how they are written, can either limit or expand your search.
- The operators must be written in all capital letters to ensure that they are interpreted correctly by the system.
- In a query containing both AND and OR operators, AND is processed first, followed by OR. If a query contains parentheses, operators within parentheses are processed first, and then precedence rules are processed from left to right.
Boolean Searching Examples Using AND, OR and NOT
When two or more terms or expressions are adjacent with no intervening Boolean operator, an AND is assumed. For example, if you search for:
earthquake fault
you will get the same results when you search for
earthquake AND fault
To expand the results, use the OR operator. For example, if you search for:
microcircuits OR nanocircuits
your results will include items containing either term or both terms.
To search for phrases, enclose the phrase in quotes. Use any of the operators combined with phrase searches. For example, if you search for
"teacher education" OR "educator training"
your results will include either complete phrase.
To exclude items in a inKUire search, use the NOT operator or minus sign (-) character before a term. For example, the query
mustang NOT animal
will exclude items that refer to the horse, but will include references to the Ford Mustang.
You can add parentheses to nest expressions within a query. For example:
(Paint OR Glass) Applied
is the same as a search for
(Paint OR Glass) AND Applied
However,
Paint OR Glass Applied
is different. This is the same as a search for
Paint OR (Glass AND Applied)
