Truncation is a search technique used in databases in which the ending of a word is replaced by a symbol. This symbol, usually an asterisk (*), is added to the root of a word to tell the database to search for all forms of that word. Different databases use different truncation symbols, so it is important to check the information in the database “Help” or “Search Tips” for details on which symbol to use. Truncation is a useful tool when searching for words with multiple spellings or endings.
For example, if you are looking for information on the word “organize”, you can use truncation to search for all forms of the word, such as “organizes”, “organizing”, and “organized”. This will help you find more relevant results than if you were to search for just one form of the word. Truncation can also be used when searching for words with multiple meanings. For example, if you are looking for information on the word “run”, you can use truncation to search for all forms of the word, such as “running”, “ran”, and “runs”.
Truncation is a powerful tool that can help you find more relevant results when searching databases and web search engines. Knowing which symbol to use and how to use it correctly can help you get the most out of your searches.
