Parentheses
Parentheses: Think of these in the same way they are used in Algebra (PEMDAS). Anything outside of the parentheses is applied throughout the phrase within. This technique broadens your result list and helps account for variations in phrasing, commonly used acronyms, etc.. |
Structure |
Actual Search |
Male AND (BPD OR Borderline Personality Disorder) |
Male AND BPD Male AND Borderline Personality Disorder |
|
Bonus
By combining all the techniques above, you can create one complex search from multiple simple searches.
Review the example below.
Structure |
Actual Search |
(Autism OR “Autism Spectrum Disorder”) AND (Wom!n OR Female*) |
Autism AND Woman |
Autism AND Women |
|
Autism AND Female |
|
Autism AND Females |
|
“Autism Spectrum Disorder” AND Woman |
|
“Autism Spectrum Disorder” AND Women |
|
“Autism Spectrum Disorder” AND Female |
|
“Autism Spectrum Disorder” AND Females |
Bonus 2.0
Did you know you can use these same techniques in Google? You can always access these tools in Google by clicking on the gear-shaped menu in the upper right corner of a result list and choosing “Advanced Search.”