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Research 101: Troubleshooting

Research 101

What do you do when your search didn't work how you wanted? Try again.

This page explains two essential ways to troubleshoot.

  • adjust the search itself
  • adjust the approach to the question

If you're stuck, ask a librarian for personalized help!

Tips for Troubleshooting a Search

 
Check Your Spelling

Library databases search for what you ask for, even if it’s not what you meant!
 

Write Out Any Acronyms

Acronyms often have multiple meanings which will pull in irrelevant materials.

Example: CPS can mean Child Protective Services, Chicago Public Schools, Campus Public Safety, and more!

 

Do a Subject Search

Find a Subject listed under another material about your topic and bring it back to your search. 

 

Add Quotation Marks

In library databases, adding quotation marks around a phrase in a search specifies that those words need to be found together. Note: This is quite limiting, so use it thoughtfully!

 

 
Add More Words to the Search

Add some specific words to your search to narrow in on what you really want to know about.

Venn diagram showing a larger overlap for Adults and Cannabis (10,784 search results)compared to Adults Cannabis and Pain (898 search results)

 
Use a Filter

Filters or "refinements" get rid of search results that are less relevant or appropriate for your needs.

Consider filtering by:

  • Material type (Would a book, newspaper article, review, or something else best serve your needs?)
  • Peer-reviewed (Narrow in on those scholarly articles.)
  • Date (Filter for the most recent results!)
  • Subject (Zoom in on a materials about a certain topic.)

 

 

Try Different Search Terms

What other words could you use to describe this concept? Some published materials might be using different terms you haven't searched with yet.

Visit the Search Words tab of this guide for more help.

A search for "weed pain management" returns 113 results. A search for "medical marijuana pain" returns 4,944 results.

Remove Filters

Expand the range of time you will accept results from and remove any unnecessary filters.

 

Use Fewer Words!

Sometimes less is more! The more words, phrases, or subjects you ask the database to find, the fewer sources will meet the criteria. Remove anything that isn't essential.

A search for "impact of marijuana on pain in adults" returns 136 results. A search for "efficacy marijuana pain" returns 813 results.

Use OR

Include multiple options by using OR to accept multiple possible terms. Learn more about Boolean operators on the Search Strategies page.

Example: (college OR higher education OR university) AND first-generation students AND (academic performance OR student success) 

 
Search Somewhere Else

Reconsider where you are looking. If searching in one collection, try another, or search across everything in the library with Spartan Search. Also, reflect on whether what you need can be found where you are searching. See the tab on this guide about choosing where to search for more guidance!

This final six minutes of our "Search Tips and Tricks" video walks through essential ways to troubleshoot a search.

Changing Your Approach to the Question

If your first approach to answering a question isn't working, you may need to step back and find a new one.

Sometimes we can't find the information we imagined, but we may be able to find something just as useful.

 

Example A: Find the Opposite

A ying yang symbolYou are writing a paper about why some people re-offend after leaving jail. You have searched for causes of re-offense and characteristics associated with re-offense.

Another approach would be to look up programs or experiences associated with reduced rates of returning to jail. In your paper, explain what this shows about re-offending.

 
Example B: Use What Does Exist

You are looking for evidence to support the need for an increased mental health budget in a city. You have found some data about the number of people currently being helped, but you're struggling to show the number of people who have not been helped.

If the exact data you want doesn't exist, get creative. Ask yourself: What type of source would record the information I want? Who would care about the information I want?

  • Find existing demographic data (like poverty rates) and use research about that population's mental health needs to connect it to your argument. 
  • Find local news articles covering the quality and availability of mental health support.
  • Look at public police data and local news for evidence of mental health crises.

 

Example C: Look for Pieces of the Whole 

A photo of shards of ancient pottery

You are making a case for the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for a specific client (an older Hispanic man with OCD and depression). Your search for all of these elements has not returned strong results. It's likely articles have not been written about this exact combination.

Instead, try to find articles that cover only a few elements of your question. You can weave these articles together in your paper or presentation to make your case.

  • An article about mental health treatment for older Hispanic Americans
  • An article about CBT for OCD treatment
  • An article about CBT for treating depression
  • An article about treating depression in older adults
  • Etc. 

How to Get Research Help

Need more research help? 

Librarians are here to help.

Image Credits

Vector of ying and yang is in the Public Domain

Photograph of 8 pottery sherds found on the island of Paros, Greece, near Drios by Stagecoach17 shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Found at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Paros_Pottery_sherds.jpg