1. Refine your search terms: Review the search terms you used and consider whether they are too broad. Try adding more specific keywords or synonyms, or using quotation marks to search for exact phrases.
2. Use advanced search options: Most databases offer advanced search options that allow you to specify additional criteria, such as publication date, author, or document type. Use these options to further refine your search.
3. Limit the number of results: Some databases allow you to set a limit on the number of results that are displayed. This can be useful if you know that you only want to see a certain number of articles.
4. Exclude terms: You can also use the "NOT" operator to exclude certain terms from your search. This can be useful if you want to remove irrelevant results.
5. Use a different database: If you are still getting too many results, try using a different database. Different databases may have different indexing and search algorithms, so one database may be more suitable for your search than another.
6. Expand your search: If you are unable to find enough relevant articles in a particular database, consider searching for the topic in a different search platform. This may involve a search engine like Google scholar, or in specialised libraries and databases.
7. Get help from a librarian: If you are still having trouble finding relevant articles, don't hesitate to ask for help from a librarian or information specialist. They are trained to help researchers with their literature searches and can provide valuable guidance and support.