In some databases all you need to do is select this “Search for” option:

"Search for Any of these words (OR)" looks for either word (not necessarily both).

Example: adolescent teen

"Any of these words (OR)" finds records that have either "adolescent" or "teen."

In some databases all you need to do is select this “Search for” option:

"Search for All of these words (AND)" looks for two or more words anywhere (not necessarily adjacent to each other).

Example:    landscape winter

"All of these words (AND)" finds records that have both "landscape" and "winter," although not necessarily adjacent to each other.

When you type NOT between two terms, all documents with the second term will be excluded from your search. 

The search columbus NOT christopher will retrieve any document that includes the term Columbus but not any document that includes the term Christopher. (For example, you may want information on the city of Columbus rather than the historical person).

In some databases all you need to do is select this “Search for” option:

"Search for This exact phrase" looks for two or more words adjacent to each other.

Example:   time management

"This exact phrase" finds records that have "time" followed immediately by "management."