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Searching with Boolean Operators - Exercise

Search with Boolean operators and grouping


Objective: Solve a search problem by using Boolean operators and grouping to augment the keyword query.

Scoring

This exercise is not scored. This is an opportunity for you to check your understanding of the material covered in the preceding lesson. When you are finished, click the Submit button to view the suggested results.

Background/overview

The lesson discussed how using Boolean operators and grouping in a search query can limit or expand a search beyond keywords alone and give you control over how your search is interpreted. Limiting a search should yield a smaller list of better results than a search with the same keywords and no limiting operators.
Boolean operators and grouping provide one way to search for information on a specific person or organization that has the same name, nickname, or initials as others you are not interested in.

Instructions

Compose a search query using Boolean operators and grouping that will return results on Jean Shepherd, the radio humorist and storyteller and not results on Jean Shepherd the country singer.
Consider what several words or terms are likely to appear in references to Jean Shepherd the country singer and how to reject them all. Also consider how to avoid references to Alan Shepherd and other "Shepherds," including shepherd dogs.
If you prefer, you may instead compose a search query that will return references to towns named Newton and avoiding Sir Isaac Newton, Wayne Newton, Newton Minnow, and fig newtons.
Use Bing for this search.
If you like, you may compare your results by using the same search query with another directory or search engine.
When you are finished, click the Submit button to view the suggested results.