A very useful technique for expanding your search results is to search by the root of a word. This is called truncation.

Truncation is useful for finding variations in the ending of a word (plurals, variant spellings, multiple suffixes).

Examples:

comput* = compute, computer, computers, computerization, etc
librar* = library, libraries, librarian, librarians, etc
child* = child, children, childhood, etc

Keep in mind that not all databases allow truncation, and not all that do allow it will use the asterisk for truncation. Always check the HELP screens.

Truncating is very useful, but you need to think about what other words you might get. Be careful not to truncate too soon.

For example, if you want to find variations of the word "marriage," where would you put the truncation symbol?

• marriage
• marry
• marries
• marital