Truncation

Truncation is like a wildcard, finding word variations. Added to the ending of a word, it will find the beginning plus anything that comes after it.

The symbol used to truncate a word depends upon the index, database, or Web search engine you are using.

? is used as the truncation symbol, for example, in Academic Search Complete.

psychol? will find items on:

• psychology
• psychological
• psychologist

* is used as the truncation symbol in the DCCCD Library Catalog.

environ* will find items on:

• environment
• environments
• environmental

educat* or educat? will find items on:

• education
• eduators
• educating