4.4 How to Build a Search Query in a Search Engine
It is now time to use the keywords that you selected in Module 3. Search engines will try to find webpage results based on the keywords entered in a search query. You cannot just plug your research question into a search engine; instead, you must find the best possible combination of keywords to build a search query.
To narrow your search results, we recommend using Boolean operators. You can introduce them as of Elementary Cycle 3 by presenting various examples during searches done as a class.
Boolean operators
“Boolean operators are simple words […] used as conjunctions to combine or exclude keywords in a search, resulting in more focused and productive results” (“What Is a Boolean Operator?” Alliant Libraries). The three main Boolean operators are AND, OR and NOT. For example, you may want to find information about whales AND the St. Lawrence River, about Quebec City OR Montreal, or about icons but NOT religion.
We invite you to watch Online Research: Tips for Effective Search Strategies (3:04) to learn more about effective research.
Tip
There are other tricks you can use to conduct effective Google searches. Read the following articles for more information: 20 Google Search Tips to Use Google More Efficiently, 7 search engine tips and tricks you need to know
Advanced Search
Using the advanced search feature allows you to perform more complex and specific searches by combining several logical operators: you can use Boolean operators and refine your search by language, region, publication date, file type, usage rights, etc.
Advanced Google Search ( 3:06)