Search technique using symbols to retrieve word variations (for example, immigrat*) is called?

• A. Truncation
• B. Subject Headings
• C. Search Strategy
• D. Vendor Records

Answer: (A)

Truncation is the technique of using a symbol to stand in for the ending of a word so you can retrieve multiple word forms at once. By typing immigrat*, the search expands to immigrant, immigration, immigrated, immigrants, and other endings, helping you catch all the variations without guessing every form. This is especially handy when you’re unsure which form will appear in the results or when you want to maximize recall.

The other terms relate to different aspects of searching but not the specific technique of expanding word endings. Subject headings are standardized vocabulary used to describe content in catalogs, improving consistency but not about using a symbol to broaden word forms. A search strategy is the overall plan or method for locating sources, not the particular symbol-based expansion. Vendor records refer to records from the database provider or vendor, not to how you broaden a word’s forms in a search.