There are various ways to search a databases and for most databases, what you put into it will be what you pull back. It is very important to use resources that will expand your search & make it more exact.
To get the best results when conducting a search it is important to include variations of a word in your search. Wild Cards and Truncation can help you with that.
For example: In a normal search through a database, if you type in the term Nurse, you would also (without the use of truncation) need to type in Nurses and Nursing to get all variations of that term.
Solution:
|
Truncation & Wildcard Symbols |
Examples |
|
Use the asterisk * (Ctrl + 8) to get both singular and plural forms of a word |
The asterisk is considered truncation. You can use it in the following way: Nurs* = Nurse, Nurses and Nursing |
|
Words that begin with the root word can also use the asterisk for truncation |
Run* = Run, Runs, and Running Disclaimer: Be aware that root word searching can result in a very sensitive search that picks up inaccurate results. |
|
Words spelled in different ways will make use of the Wildcard ? (Shift + ?/); this will give you both versions of that word |
With the question mark you can get both versions of a word, without having to type in both. An?esthesia = anesthesia and anaesthesia |
Note: Not all symbols and searching mechanics are the same database to databases.
