One common issue you might experience is that your first search results contain too many results. When this happens, you'll want to take a closer look at your search strategy. What terms have you entered? Did you use words like  "advantages," "benefits," or "risks"? Keep in mind search engines and databases are simply retrieving results containing your keywords and will not understand what "advantages" or "impact" means in context of your topic. Instead of using "impact" as a search term, use your background knowledge to identify what those impacts might be, and use those impacts as search terms. Useful keywords are specific and descriptive, and librarians generally recommend using 2-4 terms at a time.

For more information on keyword searching, check out the Forming a Search Strategy guide.

Topics can be too broad and narrowing your scope (or size and scale) can be difficult especially if you're unfamiliar with the nuances of your topic. You should look for ways to narrow specific aspects of your topic by doing background research.

• First, consider what you know about the subject and create a list of keywords.
• Use Wikipedia or a database like Points of View Reference Center to give you ideas on areas to explore inside your topic.
• Next, consider describing the who, what, when, and where of your topic.
  • Who do you want to write about (e.g. Congress, immigrants, women, children)?
  • What aspect of the topic interests you (e.g. legal, historical, ethical)?
  • When in history are you interested (e.g. 18th century, 1981-1985)?
  • Where, or what geographical region are you curious about (e.g. Minnesota, Midwest, United States, Middle East)?

Librarians love to help you brainstorm and find ideas; you can ask for help narrowing your topic.

Let's walk through the process of narrowing your topic using this example: microplastics.

First, consider what you know about the subject and create a list of keywords. Use Wikipedia or a database like Points of View Reference Center to give you ideas on areas to explore inside your topic.

Next, consider describing the who, what, when, and where of your topic.

Who do you want to write about (e.g. Congress, immigrants, women, children)?

• Plastic companies, indigenous communities, wildlife, fish and human consumption of fish

What aspect of the topic interests you (e.g. legal, historical, ethical)?

• Human health impact, business ethics, environmental policy

When in history are you interested (e.g. 18th century, 1981-1985)?

• Last 5-10 years

Where, or what geographical region are you curious about (e.g. Minnesota, Midwest, United States, Middle East)?

• Great Lakes region, United States