When using the Boolean operator AND, you give the computer two conditions that must be met before it can locate Web pages. Using AND in your keyword search excludes (ignores) all the pages that do not contain BOTH words. (It is best to capitalize Boolean operators because some search engines require it.)

Here's an example:

Imagine that you are particularly interested in studying the impact of solar energy on the atmosphere. Your search statement might look like this:

"solar energy" AND atmosphere

Or you could type this:

+solar energy +atmosphere

You need to put one space before and after the word AND. There is also a space between the end of the words solar energy and the + in front of atmosphere.

Turn on Rockwell Schrock's Boolean Machine to better understand the concept of using AND. Roll your cursor over AND, OR, and NOT and watch what happens to the picture.

Let's try this search with NC WiseOwl. Quick tip: Print these directions before you link to the site.

(If you are asked for a password, type: wiseowl.)

1. Click ENCYCLOPEDIAS on the NC WiseOwl home page.
2. Click the OPEN button underneath Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia.
3. Find the search box, and then click on the button labeled ADVANCED. You're going to do an advanced search using Boolean logic!
4. Make sure FULL TEXT SEARCH is selected. You want to search through entire articles, not the "article titles only."
5. Type or paste this in the search box: 'solar energy' (Grolier likes for you to use single quotes instead of double. There are other search engines that like for you to use double quotes.)
6. Leave AND selected in the next drop menu, then type atmosphere in the search box to the right of the word AND. Click GO!
7. How many "hits" did you get? ____ Skim the list of titles until you see one that sounds interesting to read.
8. Prepare to be surprised. Do another search on just the word atmosphere. (Type atmosphere in the first search box, then immediately click GO.)
9. How many "hits" did you get? _____ Wow!