My searches aren't finding what I need.

Remember: 

You will probably need to adjust your search a few times (and maybe a lot of times!) during the research process. 

You will get better at searching with more practice, but expert researchers also do more than one search.

Here are a few suggestions to help improve or adjust your search: 

Think About Your Search Before You Start 

Quick Fixes

Watch for Spelling Mistakes 
Watch for Spelling Variations 
Quotation Marks 
Acronyms 
Search Filters 

More & Better Results

Adjust Your Search Terms 
Use What You Have To Find More

 

Review our step by step guide to brainstorming and formatting a search for OneSearch. Doing this exercise at the beginning of your research can help save time and frustration. You can also try it when you are stuck.

Watch for Spelling Mistakes

OneSearch will not automatically fix your spelling mistakes like Google will. If you are getting 0 search results, double-check your spelling and try again. 

Watch for Spelling Variations

Make sure to include common spelling variations, especially between Canadian and American English. Put OR in between different spellings of the same word to tell OneSearch that either version is okay.
For example: behaviour OR behavior, labor OR labour, check OR cheque  

Quotation Marks

Try adding “quotation marks” around any search term that is more than just one word. This makes sure that OneSearch searches those words together and in that order.  
For example: “adult learners” OR “adult students” OR “mature students” OR “mature learners” 

Acronyms

If your search includes any acronyms, make sure to search both the acronym and the long version. Use quotation marks around the long version if it is more than one word. 
For example: CRA OR "Canada Revenue Agency"

There are lots of filters and limiters under the "All filters" menu in your OneSearch results that can help you find the type of information you’re looking for.  
Some common ones to try: 

  • Academic (Peer-reviewed) Journals
  • Date
  • Language

You may need to do some more brainstorming to see if there are words you may need to add or remove from your search:

  • Read through some abstracts of articles that you have found to see if the authors use different words to describe your topic
  • Check the subjects listed under each article/book in OneSearch. These are like tags, but you can often find helpful words to add to your search
  • Have a friend look at your list to see if they have any ideas

Use What You Have To Find More

If you’ve found a few articles or books that are useful, look at their reference lists (usually at the end of an article or chapter). There may be other articles, books, or resources that they list that are interesting to you too. 

If you find something relevant, just type the title into OneSearch to see if we have access to it. 

If we don’t, see our section on Interlibrary Loans to find out how to request a copy for free!

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