{"id":6907,"date":"2021-02-22T22:05:43","date_gmt":"2021-02-22T22:05:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/course.oeru.org\/nzext100\/?page_id=6907"},"modified":"2021-02-22T22:05:43","modified_gmt":"2021-02-22T22:05:43","slug":"a-review-of-limiters","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/course.oeru.org\/nzext100\/modules\/curator\/a-review-of-limiters\/","title":{"rendered":"A review of limiters"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Curator-banner-3-scaled.png\"<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

\"Broken<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
\u201c\n<\/td>\n The best thing about a boolean is even if you are wrong, you are only off by a bit.\n<\/td>\n \u201d\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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\u2014Author unknown<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n


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\n\t\t\t\"aim\"\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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A review of limiters<\/h2>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t
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Here is a quick review of how to use limiters<\/b> or Boolean operators<\/b>. Learning how to use limiters \u2014 or Boolean operators \u2014 can save you a lot of search time. Boolean operators are the words \u201cAND,\u201d \u201cOR,\u201d and \u201cNOT.\u201d They are small words with a lot of search power!\n<\/p>\n

For example, suppose we are attempting a basic search to find information on learner motivation at post-secondary institutions. We identify \u201ccolleges\u201d and \u201cuniversities\u201d as our basic search terms.\n<\/p>\n

If we search for \u201ccolleges AND universities\u201d<\/b>, our results must include both terms. The starred overlapping area in the graphic below depicts the results:\n<\/p>\n

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\"Curate<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

If we search for \u201ccolleges OR universities\u201d<\/b>, our results change, with the stars now in both overlapping and separate areas:\n<\/p>\n

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\"Curate<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

And if we choose to narrow our search to \u201ccolleges NOT universities\u201d<\/b>, the results are different again:\n<\/p>\n

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\"Curate<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

So,\n<\/p>\n

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  • Using \u201cAND\u201d narrows the results as both terms must be present; there is more precision in our search.\n<\/li>\n
  • Using \u201cOR\u201d expands the results, as only one term must be present; we have less precision, but we are also less likely to miss an important resource\n<\/li>\n
  • Using \u201cNOT\u201d excludes a term completely; we should use this with care as we might miss an important resource.\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    This three-minute video \u201cBoolean Operators – Science\u201d (B. D. Owen Library, July 2015) provides examples of conducting searches:<\/p>\n

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