Writing 117-01 (Winek, Spring 2024)

Limit the Search to a Specific Field

• Searches, in most databases, default to searching multiple fields in the citation records and/or the full text of the article.  To create a more specific, you may wish to search for your most important terms in a specific field such as a Title field.

Sample of a searching in a specific field in Web of Science.

Narrow Results to a Specific Time Frame (before or after searching)

• Most databases allow you to narrow to a specific time frame both before or after you search. 

Limit to Specific Types of Articles

• If you want specfic types of scholarly journals, the database may offer the option of selecting original research articles rather than review articles.  In the field of psychology, empirical studies are considered original search articles while in medicine, clinical trials are an example of original research studies.

Filter Search Results by Relevance or Date 

• Though many database show search results sorted by Relevance, many science databases return results from the most recent citations to the least recent citation (by Date).  If you have a lot of search results, a date sort may make your results look irrelevant.  Consider narrowing by date and then sorting by Relevance instead.

This tutorial demonstrates how (and why) to use the thesaurus tool to find index terms or subject headings when searching PsycINFO on ProQuest.

Although primarily focused on PsycINFO, these techniques can be used in any database with a thesaurus.

Discover how to use the Get It at UC button to access the full-text of articles or books whether immediately or through Interlibrary Loan (ILL).