LibGuides: How to Write a Literature Review: Truncation

Truncation basics

Truncation is used with root words to express multiple endings
- Example:
  - cold*
  - would find cold, colder, coldest
Wildcards are used within words to find words spelled differently but have the same meaning,
- Example:
  - labo?r
  - would find labor or labour
Truncation and wildcards vary from database to database. Check the database Help page to find out what to use in your search.
Common truncation/wildcard symbols include: *, #, ?, $, !. You must find what symbol each database uses and how they use that symbol, you may not be getting the results you expect if you don't do this.

Warning: when using truncation make sure to use enough of the root word to express your idea, use too little and you will get bad results.

Example:

If you are looking for articles on therapy use

therap*

This finds therapy, therapist, therapeutics...

Don't use

the*

This will find therapy words but also theology, thermal, thespian...