English 102 - Walston: Other Search Strategies

Truncation: *

• The * is a common symbol used to replace any number of letters at the ends of words
• Helps find singulars, plurals, and variant endings of words
• Check each database's help pages to see which truncation symbol is used in that particular database
• Example: vot* finds vote, votes, voter, voting, etc.
• Example: communit* finds community, communities 

Limits: 

• Most databases let you limit search results. Some limits include:
  • Language  
  • Publication type, 
  • Date of Publication, etc.

Phrases: " "

• Enclose phrases in quotation marks when searching the Web or most databases
• Phrase searching in individual databases may vary. Check the help pages in each database for additional information.
• Example: "voter registration" 
• Example: "electoral college"