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WILD 5290: Search Tips

Boolean operators

AND only returns search results that contain both keywords

OR returns results that include either keyword

NOT excludes one or more of your keywords

General search tips

If you're coming up with too many or too few results, try these tips! Below are a few examples using Web of Science.  Most of them can be used in other databases as well.

Broaden your search

  • Shorten a word to its root (truncate it) and add an asterisk (*)
    • A search for pollut* would include the words pollute, pollution, pollutants, polluting, etc.
  • Generate a list of synonyms and link them with OR in the search box
    • pollution OR contamination

Narrow your search

  • Use more than one word/concept in your search
  • Use NOT to exclude certain words
    •   If you don’t want any results related to seabirds, add NOT seabirds to the search