Library databases rely on keyword searching rather than question searching. This means you will have to break down your research question into keywords to get the best results.
Using words like “AND,” “OR,” or “NOT” will help refine your results. These words are called Boolean operators, and each one serves a different purpose for your research.
Using AND means that all of your results will include
both the keyword “depression” and the keyword
“mental health.” AND can help narrow your results.
Using OR means that some of your results will only have the keyword “mental health,” some will only have the keyword “depression,” and some will have both. OR can help broaden your results.
Using NOT means that all of your results will include the keyword “mental health,” and none of your results will include the keyword “depression.” NOT is used when you want to eliminate a word that is dominating the conversation.