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Resort & Hospitality Management

Library resources for resort and hospitality research

What are Boolean Operators?

The most common Boolean operators are AND & OR. The use of operators allows researchers to combine several search terms into one search. Identify several words and terms that can be used in different combinations to get to relevant results. Keep in mind, it is not necessary or even advisable to enter all of the terms you brainstorm into one search. In the above example:  each column of terms could be a separate search. 

Where to Find It in a Database?

Finding Articles at FGCU Library

General tips for identifying search terms

  • What do you want to know?  Try to state your information need in a sentence or phrase:

 What impact does advertising have on children’s diets?

  • ​Identify the key terms in your initial question:

​advertising

children's

impact 

diets

  • Think of other ways to describe your topic.  This is where reading general information will be helpful.   Search the catalog for your topic and encyclopedias. You may also consult a thesaurus.
advertising marketing promotion
childrens adolescents youth
impact effect influence
diets food choices eating habits

​

  • Use Boolean operators* (AND, OR) to combine synonymous terms
  advertising OR marketing OR promotion
AND childrens OR adolescents OR youth
AND impact OR effect OR influence
AND diets OR food choices OR  eating habits

 

 

 

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