Basic Search - Boolean Keyword

A Basic Search - Boolean Keyword allows for more complex searches using Boolean operators and special index codes.

Basic Search - Boolean Keyword is the most powerful search method available for the Handbook of Latin American Studies Online Catalog (HLAS OPAC). Use this search method to retrieve items with selected words or phrases located anywhere in the catalog record. Boolean Keyword may be used for a simple single-word search, but it also allows for more complex searches that combine multiple terms from one or more fields of a record.

NOTE:
Search limits are available
Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) may be used with or without parentheses
Special index codes may be used to focus the search

Boolean Keyword Examples:

Search Tips:

• Set search limits before constructing the search.
• Use ? at the end of a search word for truncation (e.g., archeol? will search for archeology, archeological, etc.).
• Enclose exact search phrases in quotation marks (e.g., "sustainable development"). Truncation may be included within quoted phrases (e.g., "afr? american").
• Combine several terms using Boolean operators: AND, OR, or NOT. Boolean operators may be entered in upper or lower case.
  • AND - narrows the search by combining multiple concepts (e.g., gender AND history)
  • OR - broadens the search with related terms for each concept (e.g., ten OR 10; agua OR water)
  • NOT - excludes terms from the search (e.g., viceroyalty NOT peru) Note: be careful when selecting the Boolean NOT operator so that desired catalog records are not inadvertently excluded.
  • If you want to include the words and, or or not as search words, it is necessary to include them, along with other words in quotes as a phrase.
• Combine several Boolean operators in a single search statement, using parentheses to group concepts together.
  Example: (wood? OR forest) AND "resource manage?"
• Restrict search words or phrases to a particular index (or area of the catalog record), by preceding them with the appropriate Index Code prior to the search word or phrase (e.g., ktil amor AND knam garcia).