Boolean Query Instructions
The applet is divided into two areas, the search area and the query display area. From the search area you can pick the Boolean operator, the search terms, and the type of display. This applet has been designed with the best interactive systems design principles, and as such, it is designed for ease of use and to facilitate a short learning curve.
- From the Boolean Operator panel pick either "And" or "Or" first. All other options are disabled until the operator is selected. A blank Query Display Area will appear to the right of this applet. Any changes to the Boolean operator will be instantly updated in the Query Display Area.
- Next select the first term you would like to search for in the documents from the drop-down lists located in the Terms and Exclusions panel. Only one term at a time can be selected. To exclude a term, place a check mark in the checkbox after the term. Immediately the Query string will be displayed below the panel and the appropriate Venn diagram will be displayed in the Query Display Area.
- If necessary, select other terms and exclusions, or change terms and exclusions on the applet. The changes will immediately appear on the Query Display Area
- At this point the Query Display Area will show the selected query by shading the Venn diagram in black.
- There are two options to see where documents fall in the diagram.
- By clicking on the document buttons, a green dot will be shown in the Venn diagram exactly where the document belongs. A short descriptive label will indicate which document is currently being shown. The document text is shown in the lower right hand corner of the Search area.
- The Search button will search all of the documents and display on the Venn diagram where each document belongs in the query space. The document numbers corresponding to the Document text are shown inside the Venn diagram when appropriate in blue text. . When a file is being searched, the contents of the file will be presented in the text area at the bottom right of the interface. The document button will change to a yellow color to indicate which document is currently being searched.
- The Reset button will set all settings back to the default so that a fresh search can be initiated.