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Refining Searches
Introduction To Boolean Logic
Narrowing Your Search
Expanding Your Search
Specific Exclusions
Demonstration
Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3

Page 5
Demonstration

Bring up Google.com and AltaVista.com.

Go to the "Advanced Search" for both.

Note that each site has slightly different options for building your search query. Both sites have boxes that allow "AND" between each word, allow for a phrase to be required, and allow for words to be excluded. Google has a box for words that can be joined by "OR." These boxes help searchers who are uncomfortable with Boolean logic, but who need some of the benefits it provides. Notice that AltaVista has a separate box where you can type your own Boolean expression.

Put "hotel Atlanta Georgia" in the box labeled "with all the words". This box automatically assumes AND between each word.

Try some other words and expressions with various Boolean operators.


 
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Last Modified : September 2007