Hi Steve,
Magento is not use direct query for get any result in from Database.
It uses collection, load methods to get records.
If you want to change the result of searching then you have to work in controller and Model of catalogsearch modules.
I can show you controller file path:
app\code\core\Mage\CatalogSearch\controllers\ResultController.php follow by indexAction.
and
For the Model it is using
app\code\core\Mage\CatalogSearch\Model\Query.php
Now, you can play with both files.
If Issue Solved, Click Kudos/Accept As solutions.