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Evaluation Methods in Education: Finding Refereed Articles
Truncation and Wildcards
Truncation
Truncation is shortening a word to its root to enable finding all varients on the word. Truncation uses a variety of symbols, most commonly an asterik (*), but can also be a dollar sign ($), or other character.
For example, If you were searching on varients of children, you would type child*. This search would search for all of the following words:
- child
- child's
- children
- childrens'
- childlike
- childless
Wild Cards
Some databases allow for wild cards to be embedded within a word to replace a single character. This symbol varies by database and may be a ?, $, #, *, etc.
For example, if you were going to search for both women and woman you might type wom$n.
The symbols used for truncation and wild cards are different in different databases. To determine the symbols in the database you're using, check the online help screens or ask a librarian.
Narrowing Your Search
Narrowing your search (AND)
If you're getting too many results with your current search terms, or your results seem too broad, combine different concepts of a topic with AND.
For example:
- Topic: What are the effects of naptime on children with ADHD?
- Keywords: ADHD, naptime, children
- Search strategy: Adhd AND naptime AND children
Limit your search with additional concepts, publications, dates, full text articles, scholarly/ research articles.
Broadening your Search
Expanding your search (OR)
If you're not getting enough results, or the results seem too narrow, add additional synonyms for concepts.
For example:
- Topic: What are the effects of naptime on children with ADHD?
- Keywords: ADHD, naptime, children
- Synonyms: ADHD = Hyperactivity, Television = TV, Children = Kids
Combine synonyms of like concepts with OR
For example:
- Topic: What are the effects of naptime on children with ADHD?
- Search strategy: (television OR tv) AND (Adhd OR hyperactivity) AND (Children OR kids)
Searching for Phrases
Phrase Searching
If you are looking for a phrase, combine terms with quotation marks.
For example:
- Topic: What are the effects of active learning on children with ADHD?
- Search strategy: "active learning" AND (Adhd OR hyperactivity) AND (Children OR kids)
Ask a Librarian
- Ask a LibrarianThere are many ways to get research help!
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