Having trouble? The chart below suggests some strategies you might use to modify your search, using the information provided in this module.
The Problem... |
You Should Try... |
|---|---|
you need only current articles |
limiting your search by date |
you need articles in English |
limiting your search by language |
you need to retrieve variant endings [e.g., alcohol, alcoholics, alcoholism] |
using a "wild card" truncation symbol |
you need to determine appropriate subject headings for a particular database |
examining several good articles retrieved ; determine subject headings assigned to them; search again on those terms |
you need more search terms |
using synonyms; using more specific terms; using OR in your search |
you may have many irrelevant hits |
This document was created by Carol Wright, Associate Librarian at Penn State's University Libraries.
Instructional design assistance provided by Ann Luck, Senior Instructional Designer for Penn State's World Campus.
Copyright © June 2001, The Pennsylvania State University.
