Truncation, also known as derivation or wildcard search, is a powerful technique used in databases to broaden the scope of a search. It involves replacing the ending of a word with a symbol, allowing different forms of the word to be searched simultaneously and increasing the number of results found. To use truncation, enter the root of a word and add the truncation symbol at the end. Different databases use different 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 very useful when you know that one of your search terms has multiple endings, but all variations represent basically the same idea. It will help you complete your search faster, as you won't have to manually type and search every variation of the word. To truncate a search term, do a keyword search in a database, but remove the end of the word and add an asterisk (*) to the end of the word. Truncation is an invaluable tool for researchers and students alike. It can save time and effort by allowing you to quickly find all relevant information related to your topic.
By using this technique, you can ensure that you are getting the most comprehensive results possible.
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