* Don't try just one!
Search multiple databases - each database indexes a different collection of journals/sources.
* Think outside your search
Don't just use one specific search term - use terms that are more general, or are related to your topic.
* Change is good
If you don't have success at first, change your search terms. Try synonyms or related terms.
*"Recycle" terms
When you find a good article, look at the subject terms or keywords that the database has used to index that article. Use those terms in a new search. Speak the database's language - it'll respond.
Do you already have an article citation, and just need to find the full-text? You can check in two places: