Boolean Operators

Boolean operator search enables a text search of key words that yields fewer reports than does a single search term. In your text search of the Prevention Communication Research Database (PCRD), you can join search terms by using Boolean operators such as AND, OR, ADJ, or NOT.

Boolean Operator

Search Results

AND

Searches using and will yield all reports containing both or all of the words in the search string.

OR

Searches using or will yield reports containing any of the words in the search string.

ADJ

Searches using adj (adjacent) will yield reports that contain words as a phrase in the exact order as they are typed.

NOT

Searches using not will yield reports that exclude a variant of a search term.

The following are examples of searches using Boolean operators:

  • African American AND female AND adult
  • Physical activity OR exercise
  • Healthy ADJ eating
  • AIDS NOT hearing

Please keep in mind that the more words you join using Boolean operators, the more specific and limited your search becomes. As a result, with more search terms you may retrieve fewer reports from PCRD.

Back to Search Page