What should I do when I cannot find enough good sources for my research paper?
There are several things we will look at when we are asked about finding more resources for a research paper. Give each of these a try and remember that some of them can be used in tandem, such as try a different database and different keywords. If you go through these and are still not able to find what you're looking for, don't hesitate to ask a librarian.
- Check the database you are using and make sure you're using the best one for the job.
- If you are using the HJF Discovery search on our website, look at picking a specific database under our A to Z list that fits your area. For example, we have specific databases for education, psychology, history, biology, nursing, business, and many more. Pick the tool that best fits the job.
- We also have multiple databases covering the same field. For example, in education we have Education Research Complete and ERIC, but you may also try the psychology databases which are a closely related field. Try all of them as they each have different content.
- Check your keywords and adjust as necessary.
- Are you using the most relevant and professional language you can? Look at a reference book, the database Britannica, or Wikipedia to see the proper terminology the professionals use. As an example, instead of searching for soda or soda pop, you may try carbonated beverages or soft drinks.
- Check to make sure your terms are not overly broad or narrow. Too narrow and you won't get any results and too broad and you will get too many results that it will be difficult to sort through. Using the example of soda pop, if you searched for Coca-Cola you may be searching too narrow but if you use the term beverages you may be far too broad.
- Make sure you are using keywords properly and not too many or too few of them. If you are typing out a full question or statement in a database such as "the effects of soda pop on teeth in children under the age of 12" that is being way to specific and wordy for a database. Pick out the parts that are most relevant while also making sure you are using proper professional language. Instead search for "tooth enamel" AND "soft drinks" AND "children". See what that brings up and adjust from there.
- Use subject terms when possible.
- Subject terms are controlled vocabulary unique to each database that uses them (meaning they don't usually transfer from one database to another). Any article in that database that is actually about that subject will be assigned that subject term. This is different from keywords because keywords are only searching for your phrase or term somewhere in the article but it doesn't mean the article is about that topic. Subject terms are ABOUT that topic.
- To find a subject term, check the thesaurus or use a keyword search and find an article that is somewhat relevant. Click the search result to see the record of that article and most databases (JSTOR being the big exception) will have a list of subjects in the record.
- You can mix subject terms and keywords together. That is usually the best recipe for search success. Find one solid subject term that really grasps the main concept area you want to focus in. Then add addition keywords to your search along with the subject. For example, if you are using the subject term "soft drinks" and you get all the articles in that database about that subject, add the keyword "tooth enamel" AND "children" to find all the articles about soft drinks that contain the words "too enamel" and "children".
- Lastly, when you find an article that is solid or at least in the general area of your research interests, look at the sources that article used. Even if there is only 1-2 paragraphs that are relevant in the article. If there is a citation or two in that paragraph, look them up and find them. If 1 article leads you to two articles, you can do that again and suddenly you may have 6-8 articles that are relevant to your research. If you need help on how to find full text, check out our FAQ on that.
