Qualitative Methods in Educational Research: Search Strategies

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 (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.

 

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)