I’m getting too many results
- Add more keywords to your search using AND. Every keyword you add makes your search more specific.
- Make sure to use the filters on the left hand side of your results to narrow down data ranges and types of sources.
I’m getting too few results
- Use fewer search terms or try and capture similar ideas with an OR search. “College OR university” will get you more results than just college.
- Try less specific or simpler versions of your keywords.
My results don’t seem to fit my topic
- Think about your research question. What are the key aspects of it? Try putting in synonyms to keywords you’ve been using. Try and dial down to the essence of your question.
- Make a quick appointment with a librarian. We can give you some ideas to get on track.
I can’t access the full text of my article
- Make sure you click the “Check Lake Forest College” link in your database results to see if we have access elsewhere. You can also search the article title in our catalog.
- If that doesn’t work, try searching Google Scholar to see if there is free access on the web.
- Finally, you can request a PDF of an article using Interlibrary Loan.
You can always email a librarian for help with any step. We want you get your article.
