Research Databases

Use AND in a search to:

• narrow your results
• tell the database that ALL search terms must be present in the resulting records

Example: marijuana AND therapeutic use

Use OR in a search to:

• connect two or more similar concepts (synonyms)
• broaden your results, telling the database that ANY of your search terms can be present in the resulting records

Example:  marijuana OR cannabis

Use NOT in a search to:

• exclude words from your search
• narrow your search, telling the database to ignore concepts that may be implied by your search terms

Example:  drug therapy NOT prescription drugs