Search tips: Using symbols and operators

You can use specific symbols and operators to construct queries directly in the top search bar.

Symbols

• An asterisk (*) may be used to specify any number of characters. It is typically used at the end of a root word.
  • This is great when you want to search for variable endings of a root word. For example, searching for educat* would tell the database to look for all possible endings to that root. Results will include educate, educated, education, educational or educator.
  • An asterisk can be used both at the beginning or ending of a word. For example, searching for *water will return results such as wastewater and greywater, while searching for water* will return results such as waterfall and waterway.

• Putting words within quote marks (") tells the database to return only those words in that order. Example "waste water" – will return results with that specific phrase only but NOT match on results that include those two words in a different order, such as '…we remove waste from water…'

Operators

OR

Find results that have one of several words. For example searching for filtration OR filter will return results that contain either the word filtration or filter.

AND

Find results that include several words. For example searching for water AND filter will return results that contain both the word water and filter.

NOT

Find results that do not include certain words. For example searching for water AND filter NOT Air will return results that contain both the words water and filter except if the result also contains the word air.