Self-test On Boolean Operators (And, Or, Not)

1. All of the following are Boolean Operators: AND, OR, NOT.

True

False

The statement is true because the operators AND, OR, and NOT are indeed Boolean operators. Boolean operators are used to combine or modify the results of Boolean expressions, which can only have two possible values: true or false. The AND operator returns true if both operands are true, the OR operator returns true if at least one operand is true, and the NOT operator returns the opposite value of its operand. Therefore, all three operators mentioned in the statement are valid Boolean operators.

Explanation

The statement is true because the operators AND, OR, and NOT are indeed Boolean operators. Boolean operators are used to combine or modify the results of Boolean expressions, which can only have two possible values: true or false. The AND operator returns true if both operands are true, the OR operator returns true if at least one operand is true, and the NOT operator returns the opposite value of its operand. Therefore, all three operators mentioned in the statement are valid Boolean operators.

2. The operator AND, when used to link two concept terms (e.g. children and violence) will retrieve only those records that contain both concept terms.

True

False

With Boolean AND, the database or search engine looks specifically for the presence of BOTH specified words, children and violence, in each record.
AND = Both

Explanation

With Boolean AND, the database or search engine looks specifically for the presence of BOTH specified words, children and violence, in each record.
AND = Both

3. The operator NOT is another way to broaden a search or retrieve more records.

True

False

Boolean NOT imposes a restriction on the search, to EXCLUDE any records that contain the specified term.
NOT = Exclude

Explanation

Boolean NOT imposes a restriction on the search, to EXCLUDE any records that contain the specified term.
NOT = Exclude

4. The operator OR, when used to link two or concept terms will retrieve fewer records because both terms need not be present in each article.

True

False

With Boolean OR, the database or search engine is instructed to look for the presence of EITHER term in each record. No specific restrictions have been imposed on this search.
OR = Either.

Explanation

With Boolean OR, the database or search engine is instructed to look for the presence of EITHER term in each record. No specific restrictions have been imposed on this search.
OR = Either.

5. Using the operator AND to combine concept terms is a good way to increase the number of records retrieved in a search.

True

False

With Boolean AND, BOTH terms must be present in the record. It is reasonable to assume that imposing this specific restriction on the search will result in fewer records.

Explanation

With Boolean AND, BOTH terms must be present in the record. It is reasonable to assume that imposing this specific restriction on the search will result in fewer records.

6. The following search statement will exclude any records that contain the term "poodle."
(dogs OR canines) NOT cats.

True

False

This search query does not specify that poodles are excluded. If an article about poodles contained the word "dog," this record would be retrieved. Only those records that have the word "cats" in them would be eliminated.

Explanation

This search query does not specify that poodles are excluded. If an article about poodles contained the word "dog," this record would be retrieved. Only those records that have the word "cats" in them would be eliminated.