What should a researcher do after returning unrelated results in a literature search?

When a researcher returns unrelated results in a literature search, the best course of action is to broaden the search terms. This approach allows for the possibility that the initial terms used may have been too narrow or specific, which can limit the scope of relevant literature being captured in the search. By broadening the search terms, researchers can include a wider variety of related topics, synonyms, and variations that may yield more relevant results.

Broadened search terms can help capture studies that use different terminology or that address similar concepts in diverse ways. This adjustment can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the subject and may uncover pertinent research that was initially overlooked. It's an essential step in the iterative process of refining a search strategy to ensure that the literature review is thorough and inclusive of all relevant findings.

On the other hand, resetting all limits to original values or increasing the number of databases might not specifically address the issue of unrelated results, as these actions may simply revert the search parameters without providing more relevant content. Similarly, restricting to full-text articles can further limit the scope of the search and may exclude valuable studies that are only available as abstracts or that provide relevant findings without full access.