Final answer:
Boolean operators like AND, OR, and NOT are used to combine search conditions in database queries, helping to focus and tailor the results based on included or excluded terms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Boolean operators are used to combine search conditions in the WHERE clause of a query. These operators allow users to refine and focus their search criteria by linking necessary information, excluding irrelevant details, and expanding or narrowing the scope of the search.
The three basic Boolean operators are AND, OR, and NOT. The AND operator is used to narrow search results, ensuring that only sources containing all specified search terms are included in the results. The OR operator is employed to combine similar concepts and broaden search results, allowing any of the specified search terms to appear in the resulting sources. The NOT operator is used to exclude particular search terms, thereby filtering out unwanted data.
For instance, a search string that uses these operators, such as "artificial intelligence" AND "Buiten" AND "2019", could help locate exact scholarly sources by including all three search terms. By understanding and applying these Boolean operators effectively, search outcomes can be significantly optimized based on the required search criteria.