Help! There are too many articles!

As you begin searching for articles, it's normal to feel overwhelmed. This is a sign that your topic is very broad. To write a successful paper, you'll need a bibliography with sources that work together to inform you on a single topic. Follow the strategies below to narrow your topic and build a cohesive bibliography.

1. Use a source you like to generate new search terms

If your search starts getting complicated:

• Use the advanced search feature
• Look for the database's help page
• Ask for help from a super searcher! Email me or chat with a librarian.

2. Look at the references in a source you like

If the PDF doesn't contain direct links to the cited sources, look them up in Library Search.

3. Find out what other articles cite the article you are reading

Some databases have a "cited by" feature built-in. If not, look up the article on Google Scholar and click "cited by" under the article title.

4. Answer lingering questions

As you plan your argument and write your paper, pay attention to areas of your topic that you don't have good support for in your bibliography. Run searches for these areas in particular.