Scientific Information
Retrieval 

1. Basic Library Skills

2. Using Library Catalogue

3. Systematic Information
Search
3.1. Finding Search Terms
3.2. Formulating a Search Profile

4. Selecting Databases
4.1. NELLI-portal
4.2. Melinda
4.3. Ebrary
4.4. ProQuest
4.5. EbscoHost
4.6. ScienceDirect
4.7. Sage Journals 
4.8. ISI Web of Science

5. Evaluating Results
5.1. Improving Your Search

6. Citing Sources
6.1. RefWorks - Reference Management
6.2. Avoiding Plagiarism 


5.1. Improving Your Search

There are many things that can influence the success in your search. The main factors for a successful search are the right search terms for your subject, a good combination of these terms into a search phrase, and in the end also the selection of the database. An ideal search returns only relevant results, but in most cases there are also some items not related to the topic. In the worst case you get a long list of irrelevant items or even none at all.

Search technique helps you to revise and redefine your search terms, the search statement, or the database so you do not have to skim the whole list of irrelevant results, but you will get better search result with a modified search statement. The following list gives some hints for your consideration.

If you get too few results

  • Use broader terms
  • Limit your search to keywords or abstract instead of descriptors or subject terms
  • Add more related terms and synonyms combined with OR
  • Use fewer limiting terms combined with AND
  • Use truncation (* or ?)
  • Check what descriptors or subject terms the database uses
  • Check that you are using the Boolean operators correctly
  • If you find a relevant record, use its subject terms in a new search

If you get too many results

  • Use narrower terms
  • Limit your search to descriptors or subject terms or title
  • Add more limiting terms combined with AND
  • Use fewer related terms and synonyms combined with OR
  • Limit to peer reviewed (scholarly) articles
  • Check that you are using the Boolean operators correctly
  • If you find a relevant record, use its subject terms in a new search

If you get no results

  • Check your spelling
  • Check that you are searching relevant search fields
  • Check that you have truncated correctly
  • Check that you are using a relevant database
  • Check that you are using the Boolean operators correctly