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KPMG
DELOITTE
In this search, we will retrieve records in which AT LEAST ONE of the search terms is present. We are
searching on the terms KPMG AND DELOITTE since documents containing either of these words might be
relevant.
The shaded circle with the word KPMG representing all the records that contain the word "kpmg" and the
shaded circle with the word DELOITTE representing all the records that contain the word "deloitte"
The shaded overlap area representing all the records that contain both "kpmg" and "deloitte"
OR logic retrieves all the unique records containing one term, the other, or both.
Boolean Logic
Boolean logic refers to the logical relationship among search terms, and is named for the British-born Irish
mathematician George Boole.
There are three main operators: OR AND NOT
OR
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KPMG DELOITTE
The more terms or concepts we combine in a search with OR logic, the more records we will retrieve. For
Example
PWC
AND
In this search, the records in which BOTH of the search terms are present
The shaded area overlapping the two circles representing all the records that contain both the word "KPMG"
and the word "DELOITTE”. The more terms or concepts we combine in a search with AND logic, the fewer
records we will retrieve.
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NOT
KPMG NOT PWC
We retrieve records in which ONLY ONE of the terms is present
This is illustrated by the shaded area with the word KPMG representing all the records
containing the word “KPMG”. No records are retrieved in which the word "PWC" appears,
even if the word "KPMG" appears there too
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Using Boolean Logic on the Internet
1. When I need Information about KPMG or Deloitte
KPMG OR Deloitte
KPMG | Deloitte
2. When I need Information about KPMG and Deloitte and PWC
KPMG AND Deloitte AND PWC
KPMG Deloitte PWC (Most search doesn’t require you to add the word AND)
3.When I need Information about KPMG but not about accounting
KPMG NOT accounting
KPMG –accounting (Minus)
KPMG AND NOT accounting (for AltaVista)
4.When I need information about KPMG or Deloitte’s Accounting
(KPMG OR Deloitte) AND accounting
(KPMG | Deloitte) accounting
6. There are number of ways to modify query terms. These can be very
valuable techniques to you as a searcher. They enable you first to cast
a fairly broad query, and then successively hone in on desired results.
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Term Modifiers
Modifiers include:
Quotation Marks
Parentheses
• asterisks
• tildes
To create strong or robust queries, you can incorporate operators
and modifiers to the query syntax but their use is optional.
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“Phrase” Searching
The use of quotation marks will allow you to restrict a search so that the keywords
must appear consecutively in a phrase.
The order of keywords in a query is important but not the be all and end
all. Searching for search commands returns pages which simply mention search
and commands. The search for "search commands" returns different results as
only pages which mention search commands as a complete phrase are listed.
Note: The spaces between words are as important as any other character. If you include a
double space between any two words and the phrase typically has only one, the search will
fail.
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Parentheses
Parentheses group words to establish or reinforce theParentheses group words to establish or reinforce the
intended order of processing. Search terms andintended order of processing. Search terms and
operators within parentheses are processed separatelyoperators within parentheses are processed separately
as a unit and then combined with the remaining searchas a unit and then combined with the remaining search
strategy.strategy.
This can be very useful if you want to control theThis can be very useful if you want to control the
booleanboolean logic for a query.logic for a query.
Example Resume auditor (07645 OR montvale)
