• Boolean operators allow you to combine search terms by using the following words: AND, OR, NOT. 
• When you want your results to include both of your search terms, use the boolean operator AND between them.
  • For example, if you're researching the history of horror fiction, you can search: "horror fiction" AND history. All of the results you receive will include both of those terms.
  • Using AND narrows your results. The more results you link with AND, the fewer results you will receive.
    • If you’re not getting many results, try removing your narrowest term and try again with your broader terms.
• When you want either one of your terms to be included in your results (not both), use the boolean operator OR between them.
  • For example, to get results involving either New England or Maine, search: "New England" OR Maine.
• When you want to completely exclude a term from appearing in your results, use the boolean operator NOT before the keyword.
  • For example, if you wish to research the Jersey Devil cryptid but are overwhelmed by the amount of results focusing on the New Jersey Devils hockey team, search: "Jersey Devil" NOT hockey. 
• To construct complex searches with multiple boolean operators, you can nest portions by using parenthesis.
  • For example, you can search ("Jersey Devil" OR "Leeds Devil") NOT hockey to research the cryptid using both of its names and excluding results that revolve around the hockey team by the same name.

• Truncation allows you to search for a word that can end in a variety of ways. To do this, insert an asterisk (*) in the spot where the spelling of the word can change.
  • For example, searching child* will give you results that include child, children, childhood, childish, childlike, and so on.
• Be careful that you don't place the truncation symbol too early in the word as you will end up with many irrelevant results.
  • For example, if you're researching animation and search anim*, you will get results involving animation, anime, animals, animatronics, animalistic, animosity, and so on. 
• The asterisk can be used within words to find multiple characters.
  • For example, a search for hea*one will match words beginning with “hea” and ending with “one,” such as headphone, headstone, and hearthstone.
• The asterisk wildcard is best used with at least three leading characters. When at least three characters are used before the asterisk, characters after the asterisk are included in the search.
• The asterisk (*) can also be used between words to match any single word.
  • For example, a search for midsummer * dream will match the phrases midsummer night’s dream and midsummer day’s dream.

• Wildcards allow you to search for various spellings of a word at once.
• A question mark (?) is used to replace an unknown character.
  • For example, searching wom?n will give you results containing woman, women, womyn, and womxn.
  • Question marks at the end of words or character strings are not treated as wildcards. They are automatically removed from a query.
    • To use a question mark as a wildcard at the end of a word, you need to put a # before the ? character. The hash before the trailing question mark indicates that the question mark should be treated as a wildcard to find exactly one character at the end a word.
      • For example, a search for Monday#? will match Mondays, but not Monday.
• To use the hash (#) wildcard, enter your search terms and place # where an alternate spelling might contain an extra character.
  • For example, type colo#r to find all records containing color or colour, or type p#ediatric to find all records with pediatric or paediatric.

• If you want to get really fancy, you can combine truncation and wildcard symbols! For example:
  • Searching colo#r* will retrieve results containing colorblind, coloring, colorings, colorization, colorize, colorized, colouring, colourings, colourisation, colourization, colourize, colourized, colourizing, and so on...
  • Searching p#ediatric* will retrieve results containing pediatric, pediatrics, pediatrician, pediatricians, paediatric, paediatrics, paediatrician, paediatricians, and so on...

All of the information presented here will work when using ScholarSearch and other EBSCO databases. Wildcards and truncation can also be used in non-EBSCO databases, but the symbols may differ. To find more information about advanced searching techniques for the database you're using, look for a "Help" button or try doing a Google search for "[database name] wildcards" to find a guide. If you get stuck, please reach out to a librarian for help!

Truncation and wildcard guides for some of the most common databases are linked in this section.

Once you find relevant LCSHs, you can use them to search in both Locate and ScholarSearch.

• When using Locate, select "Subject" from the dropdown menu and type in/paste your subject heading.
• When using ScholarSearch, go to "Advanced Search," select "SU Subject Terms" from the dropdown menu, and type in/paste your subject heading.

In our ongoing effort to provide a diverse and inclusive range of resources, we want to inform you that our catalog may contain Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) that are offensive, outdated, or insensitive. These subject headings are reflective of historical cataloging practices and may include biases or language that were deemed acceptable at the time of their creation but are considered harmful today.

We recognize that societal attitudes and language evolve, and certain terms may not align with contemporary standards of inclusivity and sensitivity. It's important to note that we do not endorse or support discriminatory language; rather, we aim to preserve the integrity of historical records while being mindful of changing perspectives.

We encourage users to approach these materials with a critical perspective, recognizing that the presence of certain language or terminology does not reflect the values or viewpoints of the Drew University Library faculty and staff. If you have concerns about specific content or subject headings, we welcome your feedback to help us continually improve and update our cataloging practices. Please email us at reference@drew.edu and we will get back to you as soon as possible!

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we strive to maintain an environment that is inclusive and respectful to all!