Connectors

Connectors are used in keyword searches to link together two or more terms.

Connectors are also known as Boolean operators, named after George Boole, an English mathematician who helped establish the modern field of mathematics called symbolic logic.

Databases use Boolean logic to locate only those items that match your search.

The most common operators are AND and OR.

AND narrows a search; you get fewer records, because both concepts must be present in the records found--here the area in color. Use AND to combine different concepts in one search.

OR broadens a search; you get more records because OR includes each of the concepts separately, as well as both concepts when found together. OR is often used to link together related concepts.