Now that you've created a list of search terms or keywords, you need to organize them into good search statements.

When you search an electronic database (such as a library catalog or an electronic index), you cannot just type in your research question ("What risk factors are associated with polluted drinking water?").The computer won't understand what you are looking for. You need to speak in a way it will understand.

One way to formulate effective search statements is to use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to connect your keywords and concepts, like this:

AND Connects two or more words (or phrases) Narrows the search Will produce information on water and pollution
OR Allows either word (or phrase) to be included somewhere in the search results Broadens the search Will produce information on either water or pollution, or maybe water pollution
NOT Excludes select terms (or phrases) from a search Warning! Use cautiously Will produce information on everything to do with water except water pollution