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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)

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