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Your Search Strategy

Here are some tips if you found too much information, too little information, or the wrong information in your search.

Too Much Information

1. Try looking at an irrelevant record in your search results.
   Can you figure out why the database gave it to you? Did you use one word that the computer misunderstood? See if you can use a more specific term or maybe a short phrase that excludes the meaning you don't want. Try adding a new term which makes your old term more specific.
   
   Instead of - Japan and economy
   Try - Japan and economy and (auto or automobile or car)
   
   
2. Check which fields in the record match your search terms.
   The best matches for topics are in fields like Subject or Title. Look for an Advanced or Expert Search option in the database to search in specific fields only, if you can.
   
   
3. Use limiters when they're available.
   Will the database let you ask for publications only in English? Can you ask for only journal articles? Want more recent information? Is there a subject heading that covers your topic? Can you eliminate book and film reviews? Play around with your options to get more specific. Try using the operator NOT.
   
   
   • (Iran and Iraq) not war
   • Hussein and not Saddam
   • Clinton not Lewinsky

Too Little Information

1. Did you spell your search terms correctly?
   Research databases are remarkable tools, but they don't have spell checkers! One misspelled word can wreck an entire search. Check a dictionary to see if incorrect speling is sabotaging your search!
   
   
2. Get rid of long phrases.
   When you type in a phrase, all the words must appear in exactly that order before the database will give you anything. Some databases automatically put the operator AND between the words you type, turning your phrase into a long Boolean search string.
   
   Instead of - discrimination against ethnic Chinese in Vietnam
   Try - discrimination and ethnic Chinese and Vietnam
   
   
3. Try using alternative terms.
   That's what you gathered all the extra vocabulary for. Don't forget truncation or wildcards for variant forms of a word. For a refresher on generating alternate search terms, review Topics. For a refresher on truncating and wildcards, review Searching.
   
   
4. Try to come up with broader terms for the idea you need.
   Every so often, it happens that there's very little written on a specific topic, but a lot on the general area.
   
   Very narrow - recombinant DNA and sheep
   Narrow - cloning and animals
   Broader - genetic engineering and animal*
   Very broad - genetic* and animal*

The Wrong Information

1. Check the coverage of the databases you're using.
   Do they contain the types of resources you need? The right subject area(s)? The right kinds of documents? The right dates?
   
   
2. UTSA Library Subject Guides.
   Try going to UTSA Library's Subject Guides linked from the Library's homepage. Subject guides outline various types of resources (Reference books, UCAT, databases) that are great places to begin your research. Try looking at a few of these and using some of the databases you find linked there.

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