Connectors

Connectors (Boolean operators) are used in keyword searches to link together two or more terms. The most commonly-used connectors are: AND and OR.

AND narrows a search; you get fewer records, because both concepts must be present in the records found--see the area in color below. Use AND to combine different concepts in one search.

OR broadens a search; you get more records because just one of the concepts on either side of the OR must be present in the records found--see the area in color below. OR is often used to link together related concepts or synonyms.