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- AND:
Combines two (or more) concepts - only retrieving
information containing both concepts
- For Example: Find
information about heart disease (A) AND smoking
(B).
- Results (mouse
over graphic): Relevant information found in "C" only
- information specifically
covering
both topics.
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- OR:
Combines two (or more) concepts - retrieving information
containing either concept, whether
mentioned separately or together.
- For Example: Find information
about heart disease (A) OR smoking
(B).
- Results (mouse
over graphic): Relevant information found
in "A," "B" and "C" -
all information mentioning either topic
(whether mentioned separately or together within
an article).
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- NOT:
Used
to eliminate key terms from closely associated
concepts by limiting retrieved information containing
one concept but not the other.
- For Example: Find
information about heart disease (B) that does NOT mention
smoking (A).
- Results (mouse
over graphic): Relevant information found
in "A" only - representing information on heart
disease that does not deal with smoking.
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TRUNCATION |
- Truncation
symbols allow you to search for suffix variations
of root terms or words.
- Specific
truncation symbols will vary widely from
database to database. The "$" sign truncation
used below is an example only; to find specific
truncation symbols check the
DATABASE CHART or a database's
individual "help"
pages
- Most
databases allow the use of two different truncation
types: Unlimited /
Limited
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- Unlimited
Truncation symbols
are used at the end of common root spellings
to capture any variations that occur
from the symbol forward.
- For
example: To
find variations of the root term NURSE
place unlimited truncation (in this example the "$" sign)
symbol directly after last common letter each variation would share.(move
cursor over term to display results) Results
include nurse, nurses, nursing etc.
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- Limited Truncation Some
databases allow use of a truncation symbol/number
combination to specify the maximum number of characters
that follow the root spelling.
- For example: To
find variations within 2 characters of the root term NURSE the truncation
symbol/number combination (in this example "$2" sign)(move
cursor over term to display results) Results
would now be limited to nurse and nurses only.
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WILD CARDS |
- Wild
card symbols allow you to search for spelling
variations within the same or related terms.
- Specific
wild card symbols will vary widely from
database to database. The "#" sign
and "?" wild cards used below are an example
only; to find specific wild card symbols check
the DATABASE
CHART or a database's individual "help" pages
- Many
databases allow the use of two different wild
card types: Mandated / Optional
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Mandated
Wild Cards can be used either within or at the end of
a word to substitute for one letter/
character.
-
For example: To
find the singular and plural variations for WOMEN/WOMAN you
would substitute the wild card symbol in place of the letter
that varies (in
this example the "#" sign)(move
cursor over term to display results) Results
would be woman and women.
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- Optional Wild Cards can
be used within a workd to substitute
for one or more characters. This can be
useful when looking for spelling variations.
- For example: To
find the spelling variations for the term COLOR the
wild card symbol is placed where the spelling variations occur (in
this example "?")(move
cursor over term to display results) Results
would be color and colour.
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DISCLAIMER
Web address: http://southmed.usouthal.edu/ref/tools.htm
Last Update: 12/7/2005
To make comments, suggestions, or get more information, e-mail medlib@bbl.usouthal.edu or
call (251) 460-7044.
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