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Database Searching

How to Refine the Results of a Search

After running your search in a database, you might want to focus or refine the results. Refining a list of results in a database can be done by using the built-in limit/filter options available. Limits and filters are used synonymously to describe any built-in options within a database which help to refine and focus the results yielded after running a search. The examples below display the refining options in each database, as well as, a description of where to find the limiting/refining options and a link which points to the database itself so you can try your hand at employing limits/filters.

PubMed

MEDLINE

Embase

CINAHL

Cochrane

PsycINFO

Scopus

Web of Science

Google Scholar