Unit 4: Search Methods

Lesson 9: Spelling, Abbreviations, and Acronyms


Spelling Counts
Unlike Google, library catalogs and subscription databases do not automatically correct your spelling. A misspelled search term may incorrectly indicate that no resources on your topic exist. Double-check your spelling if your search yields no results.

Abbreviations & Acronyms
If your search term is an abbreviation or acronym, and your search yields no results, try spelling out your search term, and vice versa. For example, if the search term GPA yields no results, try Grade Point Average instead. Examples include:

GPA Grade Point Average

EMT Emergency Medical Technician

Search Tip:

• for comprehensive search results, search for both versions of the keyword
  
  
  
  

You have completed Unit 4. Continue to Unit 5 to learn about search tools and the online catalog.