Boolean Search (Research Insight)

Modified on Fri, Jan 28, 2022 at 1:38 PM

Boolean Search (Research Insight)


  • Use ALL CAPS for "AND", "OR", and "NOT" operators.
  • A search for carpe diem will return works containing one or both terms.
  • A search for "carpe diem" will return works containing that exact phrase.
  • A search for carpe AND diem will return works containing both terms.
  • A search for carpe NOT diem will return works containing the term(s) preceding NOT.
  • Join two or more queries with parenthesis, for example (carpe AND diem) OR ("live for today").


For more search syntax options, see Lucene Query Syntax.


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