## 3.2.6 How can I increase or decrease search results?

No one is willing to assess the relevance of hundreds or thousands of search results. It is better to search in such a way that you get a maximum of a few dozen search results, without throwing relevant search results overboard.

What you can do when you have too many search results

- Use more or different search terms
- Don't just use Google
- Define your search results with the option 'Advanced search'
- For example, search within title
- Limiting search boundaries can also be done afterwards, it is called filtering. (Filter for example by period)
- Combine important search terms with the Boolean AND operator
- Be critical of the use of the OR operator
- Use truncation as late as possible in a word; trunca*

It is frustrating not getting search results. Of course, it is possible that the database in question does indeed not have any relevant information on your subject.
What you can do when you have too few, or no search results at all

- Combine synonyms and translations with the Boolean OR operator
- Use fewer or different search terms
- Search wider
- Try other sources
- Snowball methodology: view the literature list of a relevant source to find more sources

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