When entering a phrase such as computer applications, most databases default to AND, so that the words do not have to appear beside each other in the record to be retrieved.  To search the words as a phrase, you will probably have to use proximity operators. 

 

*The exception is if you are using subject headings and limiting the search term to the descriptor or subject heading field.  You don’t need to use proximity operators for subject headings.

 

Different databases have different commands to use for phrase searching.  They may accept quotation marks around the terms (e.g., “computer applications”) or use adj as an adjacency operator (e.g., computer adj applications).  Check your database help screen to determine what to use.