Improve search results
Too few search results?
If the result of your search is too limited, there could be several reasons.
Did you choose the right source?
Use a different database if necessary.
Is it due to your search query?
Check your search query and adjust it if necessary.
- Formulate your question differently.
- Check if all components are needed.
- It could also be that there is little or no information on your subject and you should choose another subject.
Use different or less specific search terms.
- Check your search terms, for example, have you translated your terms correctly and have you also considered synonyms and spelling variations?
- In a subject-specific database you may need to search with different terms than in a general database.
- Note! Using less specific search terms will increase the amount of hits, but may lower the proportion of relevant hits.
Specify fewer limitations.
- Articles from the last two years may be most appropriate, but perhaps a lot was published on your topic in the years before that.
- Don't limit yourself to Dutch-language publications. Much more is published in English.
Too many search results?
If you find too much non-relevant information, there are several ways to adjust your search:
Did you choose the right source?
If you used a general database, try a subject-specific database.
Is it because of your search query?
Check your search question and adjust it if necessary:
- isn't your research question too broad?
- see if you can add any components in a meaningful way
Use different or more specific search terms.
Narrow your search using exact phrase or a proximity operator.
Specify limitations:
- delimit by certain publication types or by publication date
- choose a particular search entry, such as search by author or title