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Research Strategies

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:: Databases IV

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Research Databases III -- Truncation, Connectors, and Advanced Search Interfaces
Using truncation, Boolean connectors, and specified search fields will help you focus your search query.

Using Truncation for Better Results from a Keyword Search
When searching by keyword, utilize truncation symbols to retrieve alternative endings to your root words. Graphic of roots

Our SSU and OhioLINK catalogs and the EBSCO databases use the asterisk (*) as their truncation symbol. A search for presiden* will retrieve records with the words "presidency," "presidential," "president," "presidents," etc. Different database vendors, however, use different symbols; LexisNexis, for instance, uses the exclamation point (!) for truncation. Check the database "HELP" to find which symbols are used in any particular database.

Similarly, when searching by keyword, utilize wildcards to substitute for a single character. EBSCO databases use the question mark (?) as their wildcard symbol -- so a search for ANALYS?S will retrieve records that have the words "ANALYSIS" or "ANALYSES." Different database vendors, however, use different symbols; LexisNexis, for instance, uses the asterisk (*) as its wildcard. Check the database "HELP" to find which symbols are used in any particular database.

Screen shot of Business Source Complete

Using the Asterisk in EBSCOhost Databases
Use the asterisk (*) in EBSCO databases to retrieve alternative endings for a root word. A search for PAYROLL TAX* will retrieve records that have the words PAYROLL "TAX" and PAYROLL "TAXES," as well as PAYROLL "TAXABLE," "TAXATION," "TAXED," "TAXING," and so forth.

Screen shot of Business Source Complete Boolean Operators and Other Connectors
For more specific results, concepts can be combined using AND, OR, and NOT. In databases that present multiple search windows, you can use the menu beside the search window to select the operator you want. In databases that present a single search window, you can type in the connector that you need (for example payroll tax* AND Medicare.)

AND is usually the default connector. Selecting AND narrows, retrieving fewer results, and makes a search more specific by combining two or more concepts. In the example, when we combine payroll tax* with Medicare, we retrieve only 152 citations (compared to 3802 for payroll tax* by itself in the example above.)

Business Source Complete screen shot Using OR
OR broadens the search and retrieves MORE results.

OR is useful when more than one word or phrase may retrieve useful information. In this example, we have combined real estate tax* OR property tax*. The results set contains all of the citations with "real estate tax*" and all of the citations with "property tax*."

Using NOT
NOT excludes citations that contain the word you add, and so narrows the search, providing FEWER results. In our example we have combined payroll tax* NOT income to exclude articles that are about income tax.

NOT can also, however, exclude items that you might have found useful. "Not" should be used with care.

Regardless of the connectors, you can further narrow or limit your search by selecting other options from the the menus. In this example, we have further narrowed the search results by selecting the Subject: Thesaurus Term "WITHHOLDING tax."

Other Connectors
Most databases allow other connectors in addition to AND, OR, and NOT. Check the database "HELP" to see which connectors are used in a specific database.

Advanced Search Interfaces for Sophisticated Combinations
You can combine connectors, truncation symbols, and wildcards in many ways to structure very sophisticated search queries. Choosing the database's ADVANCED or EXPERT search interface will allow you more opportunities to structure your search.

In this example we are directing the database to locate records for articles with the phrase "income tax*" that also include either "ethic", "ethical," "ethicist," "ethicists," "ethics," etc., OR "moral," "moralist," "moralistic," "morality," "morals," etc.

We could further manipulate the search query by employing various search options on the screen below the search window.

Selecting a Search Field
Most databases default to a keyword search option; however, you can generally choose another search field such as author, title, or subject to narrow a search -- or you can select full text (all text) to expand a search.

Field-specific searches provide greater specificity -- and FEWER results.

Employing additional search options from the choices below the search window will allow you to more effectively structure your search.

Help
Because many different companies produce catalogs and research databases, you will notice differences in the screens, command keys, and functions. Guides to most catalogs and databases are available online. Look for HELP or SEARCH TIPS -- or ask a librarian for assistance.

For tutorials that will teach you to use specific databases, see our webpage Tutorials, Guides, Tips, and Help.

To go to the next page in the Research Strategies tutorial, click Databases IV.

Need Help?

Get help via IM, Chat With a Librarian, email (Reference_Services@Shawnee.edu), or by phoning (740.351.3321).

If you prefer face-to-face assistance, stop by the Clark Memorial Library Reference Counter or schedule a Research Consultation with a Reference Librarian.

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