F.I.R.S.T. Tutorial

Chapter Three: Searching for Information Using a Computer
In this chapter: Defining databases; using search connectors and parentheses; creating search statements

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We've talked about what words to use... let's talk about what words not to use when constructing search statements.

The ten most common words in the English language are:

the of to is that
and a in you it

Remember the tip from Chapter 1? Most keywords are nouns. So except for "and", which as we know has its own special meaning when it comes to computer searching, you will want to avoid using these common words in your searches. Maybe not coincidentally, none of them are nouns.

So, if you want to know about:

AIDS in Africa

Search using:

AIDS and Africa

Similarly:

Effects of radioactivity
should be
Effects and radioactivity