Refine

Close this window

If your search retrieved too many answers or many unwanted answers, you may wish to refine your answer set. Search terms may be added to your initial search to reduce the number of answers. Refining is free!

To refine your initial search:

1. Click the Refine Your Search button. The Refine Search page appears with your initial Search question displayed.
2. Use the boxes below the search question to add search terms or limits that narrow the search to only those answers that interest you. For example, you may want only documents from a particular publication year.
3. Click the Search button to execute a search with the new criteria. You are returned to the Answer page. The results displayed are those that match the refined search question.

You may also recall Saved Search Terms and use them to refine your search.

You may refine as many times as you like.

With the Refine option, you can only narrow your search. "AND" and "NOT" are the only Boolean operators available on the Refine Search page. To broaden your search, return to the Search page and enter broader search terms that may retrieve a larger answer set. This is considered a new search, and you will be charged an additional search fee.

Tip: Since refining is free, it is often best to start with a fairly broad search topic. Use your browser’s Back button to return to the broad answer set, and refine it as many times as you like.