Many library catalogues, journal indexes and internet search engines allow for complex searches. On the home page Using this option allows you to taylor your search by using Boolean logic.

One way to do this is, following the search engine's protocols (usually outlined in the help section) type in a search string. For example: (greenspace? OR parks) AND children NOT "theme parks" .

The question mark (or asterisk) acts as a wild card and indicates truncation of a word. This causes the engine to return results for greenspace or greenspaces. Use the wild card carefully. It can add unwanted results to your search. For instance typing the word park? to capture information on either park or parks may retrieve records containing the words parking parkade and the name Parker. Sometimes it is more efficient to use the Boolean OR operator.

The brackets group alternate words together, the quotation marks indicate a phrase. The protocols vary from engine to engine and you should consult the help pages in each engine to determine which are appropriate for that one.

Another way to do this is to select the Advanced Search function provided on the first page and fill in the template. This option permits you to avoid mastering the different searching protocols of each search engine.