Most databases have further ways to limit or refine your search results. You can often find these in the Advanced search section or page. In some databases they appear on the search results page, too. Some examples of further ways to limit your results might be:
ProQuest databases offer ways to limit results by source and document type.
In the area under the search boxes, locate the Source type box to select different types of sources such as Books, Conference Papers & Proceedings, and Newspapers, etc.
In the Document type box, you can select documents types such as Annual Report, Case Study, Editorial, Illustration, etc.
Some databases include a limiter for research methodology.
PsycINFO and PsycARTICLES offer a Methodology limiter box in the area under the search boxes. Click on the method you need to select it.
Locate the Clinical Queries limiter box in MEDLINE and CINAHL in the area under the search boxes. Hold down the Ctrl key while clicking on your choices to select multiple options.
Even if there is no specific limiter for methodology, you can still include a methodology term in your search to limit your results to a specific methodology. Simply add it as a keyword.
Some databases also include methodology terms as subject terms. See our guide for more information:
Not all databases have the same limiters. Each subject area offers unique ways to search, based on the needs of researchers in that subject. Explore the search pages of the database you're using to find the limiters available. Here are some examples of different subject database limiters.
Company Name
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code
Population group
Age group
Educational level
Conference (IT research is often published in conference proceedings, as they come out more rapidly than peer-reviewed journals)
OASIS