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Biology 120 Cellular and Molecular Biology

Dr. Mantha

Search Strategies

There are several techniques to use that will help refine your search results.  You can use these strategies when looking for information from library databases or a search engine such as Google.

Phrase Searching

Put quotation marks " " around phrases to search the term as a phrase. Otherwise, the database or Google may separate the words.

"de-extinction"     "gene therapy"     "ethical aspects"     "genetic testing"

Boolean Operators

Refine your search results using Boolean operators. The three most common Boolean operators are AND, OR, and NOT, but others are available. The operators AND and NOT will narrow your search and OR will usually increase your search results. 

AND - Use AND to find resources with all of your search terms.

"de-extinction" AND biodiversity

“human genetics" AND "ethical aspects"

cancer AND "decision making" AND "quality of life"

"bioengineered foods" AND risks

 

OR - Use OR to find articles with either search term in them.

"gene editing" OR "genome editing" OR "gene therapy"

"in vitro fertilization" OR IVF

"heath care" OR "medical care"

 

NOT - Use NOT to eliminate terms you do not want in your search results. 

cloning NOT "code cloning" 

 

Combining Terms - Put parentheses () around the ORs if other Boolean operators are used.     

("gene editing" OR "genome editing") AND "sickle cell disease"

(GMO OR "genetically modified organisms") AND (labelling OR labeling)

cancer AND (aged OR aging) AND treatment AND "ethical aspects"

 

 

Limiting Google Results to Specific Domains

Limit your Google results by adding the following to your search string:

For U.S. Government sites:     site:.gov

For educational institutions:     site:.edu

 

Example: "Middle Ages" AND women AND site:.gov