How to use CD-ROMs and other databases

Revising your terms

As you search you should be prepared to revise your search terms, and add to or subtract from them as necessary. Check the records you obtain for useful terms to use in further searches.

Some general tips on improving your search:

The database you are using will affect the effectiveness of your search strategy e.g. using music in a music database will return almost everything, while using symphonic in a general arts database might restrict you too much.

You may find that the terms you have chosen are too broad so you will need to be more specific, e.g. use classical music instead of just music.

Some terms might be too specific, and will return too few hits, e.g. try rock music instead of grunge.

Remember to use the subject headings or descriptors from records you think are useful to look for similar records. Use them in completely new searches, or link them with terms from your original search using AND and OR.