2.3.5 Truncation and wildcards
Most library catalogues and databases allow truncation and wildcards.
Truncation
Truncation is a search strategy that uses a symbol to find records that include any term starting with the word stem.
Use truncation to broaden your search by picking up plurals and word derivations.
Be careful where you place the truncation symbol, do not truncate too far back in the word.
For example: A search for eco* would pick up economic and economical but also ecology.
Test your understanding
Wildcards
A wildcard is a search strategy that uses a symbol to replace one unknown character in a word search.
Use wildcards to pick up words that have different American and English spellings.
Note: Check the Help screens of the search tool to determine what symbols are used for truncation and wildcards.
