On Doctoring MEDLINE searches, with reference librarian comments, March 2000

The question was

Diagnosing OCD in Children

1     exp Obsessive-compulsive disorder/di [Diagnosis]    results= 796   
2     limit 1 to (human and english language and (child < 6 to 12    results= 263   
years > or adolescence < 13 to 18 years >))
3     limit 1 to (human and english language and (child < 6 to 12    results= 263   
years > or adolescence < 13 to 18 years >))
4     limit 3 to local holdings    results= 221   

Reference Librarian comments

First of all -- Good Job! You've got it.

But, I'll bet I could have saved you a little time.

What a difference an asterisk makes. Have a look at what I did.

1 exp *obsessive-compulsive disorder/di 318
2 limit 1 to (human and english language and (child < 6 to 12 years > or adolescence < 13 to 18 years >)) 98
3 limit 2 to local holdings 85

So, the only difference in your strategy and mine is that I checked the "focus" check-box, so that I'd get LESS, but perhaps more "on target" references. It's always arguable. I just thought I'd show you the little tip, in case you thought 221 was a lot to wade through. Medline searching is all about trying to get more or less, depending on the need.

Thanks for participating in the assignment.