Boolean Operators

1. If you are interested in finding sources that address violence in video games, which search string should you use?

Violence AND video games

Violence OR video games

Using the search string "Violence AND video games" would be the appropriate choice when looking for sources that address violence in video games. This search string indicates that both terms, violence and video games, must be present in the search results. By using the "AND" operator, the search results will be more focused and relevant to the topic of interest. On the other hand, using "Violence OR video games" would result in a broader range of search results, including sources that may not specifically address the connection between violence and video games.

Explanation

Using the search string "Violence AND video games" would be the appropriate choice when looking for sources that address violence in video games. This search string indicates that both terms, violence and video games, must be present in the search results. By using the "AND" operator, the search results will be more focused and relevant to the topic of interest. On the other hand, using "Violence OR video games" would result in a broader range of search results, including sources that may not specifically address the connection between violence and video games.

2. Which search would return fewer results?

Cancer or Diet

Cancer and Diet

The search "Cancer and Diet" would return fewer results compared to the search "Cancer or Diet". This is because the "and" operator in the search query narrows down the results by requiring both keywords (Cancer and Diet) to be present in the search results. On the other hand, the "or" operator in the second search query allows for either "Cancer" or "Diet" to be present in the search results, resulting in a larger number of potential matches.

Explanation

The search "Cancer and Diet" would return fewer results compared to the search "Cancer or Diet". This is because the "and" operator in the search query narrows down the results by requiring both keywords (Cancer and Diet) to be present in the search results. On the other hand, the "or" operator in the second search query allows for either "Cancer" or "Diet" to be present in the search results, resulting in a larger number of potential matches.

3. Which Boolean Operator do you use to search for synonyms of a word? (e.g. senior citizen, elderly, aged)

AND

OR

The OR operator is used to search for synonyms of a word because it allows for the inclusion of multiple terms in a search query. By using the OR operator, the search results will include any of the specified terms, providing a broader range of synonyms to consider.

Explanation

The OR operator is used to search for synonyms of a word because it allows for the inclusion of multiple terms in a search query. By using the OR operator, the search results will include any of the specified terms, providing a broader range of synonyms to consider.

4. OR is used to narrow a search, and will look for ALL the search terms?

True

False

The statement is false because the OR operator is used to broaden a search, not narrow it. When using the OR operator, the search engine will look for any of the search terms provided, rather than all of them. This allows for a wider range of search results to be returned.

Explanation

The statement is false because the OR operator is used to broaden a search, not narrow it. When using the OR operator, the search engine will look for any of the search terms provided, rather than all of them. This allows for a wider range of search results to be returned.

5. If you are researching the relationship of obesity to diabetes in teenagers, what search combination better conveys the multiple ways that “teenagers” might be expressed in a database?

Teenagers AND young adults AND youth

Teenagers OR young adults OR youth

Teenagers OR young adults AND youth

The correct answer is "Teenagers OR young adults OR youth." This search combination better conveys the multiple ways that "teenagers" might be expressed in a database. By using the "OR" operator, the search will include results that mention any of the terms "teenagers," "young adults," or "youth," allowing for variations in how this demographic is referred to in different sources.

Explanation

The correct answer is "Teenagers OR young adults OR youth." This search combination better conveys the multiple ways that "teenagers" might be expressed in a database. By using the "OR" operator, the search will include results that mention any of the terms "teenagers," "young adults," or "youth," allowing for variations in how this demographic is referred to in different sources.