Managing Information Overload

When you're overwhelmed by too much information, it's hard to make progress. You might feel stuck, anxious, or unsure what to do next. Recognising and managing information overload can help you:

• Save time

• Reduce stress

• Focus your research more effectively

The goal is to work smarter, not harder — especially when you're under pressure to find relevant sources and complete assignments.

How do you know if you’re experiencing information overload? Common signs include:

• Feeling overwhelmed or anxious when faced with too many results or readings
• Difficulty focusing — reading the same paragraph over and over
• Not sure what's relevant — struggling to decide which sources to keep
• Procrastination or jumping between sources without making progress
• Mental fatigue — your brain feels “full” and nothing is sticking
• Worrying you’ve missed something important — leading to endless searching
• Struggling to decide what to use — too many choices can make you freeze

These are signs of cognitive overload and decision paralysis — common challenges when your brain is trying to process too much at once.

Different assignments require different approaches. Some tasks will give you a clear reading list — others expect you to search for your own sources.

• Directed reading means working from a list provided by your tutor. These lists often include essential readings and are tailored to your module.

• Independent research means finding your own sources beyond the list — especially for open-topic assignments, dissertations, or projects.

The techniques below will help you manage information overload in both situations. Each section explains when the strategy is most useful, so you can choose what’s right for your task.

Before diving into extra research, check the reading list for your module. It’s usually the best place to start — and in many cases, it may be all that’s expected for your assignment.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Most UG and PGT modules have a reading list. Tutors don’t usually expect you to go far beyond this in regular coursework — unless they say so.

• Reading lists are often organised by week or by theme, making it easier to find what’s relevant to a particular lecture, topic, or assignment.

• Tutors usually label readings clearly — such as Essential, Recommended, or Further reading. You’re not expected to read everything. Focus first on Essential readings, as these are the ones you’ll need to understand the topic or complete the task.

• Not sure how much to read? Check your assignment brief or ask your tutor what they expect. It’s always OK to clarify.

• You’ll need to do more independent research during your dissertation or final project — but for most UG and PGT assignments, your reading list is your starting point and main source of information.

This is one of the most useful strategies for both reading list tasks and independent research.

When you're feeling lost, go back to the assignment question or task. It often contains clues to help you stay focused.

Pay attention to:

1. What is being asked? Break the question into parts.

2. Key terms or themes — these guide your keywords.

3. Any limits or expectations — such as required number or type of sources.

Focusing on what your tutor is actually asking for will help filter out distractions and keep your research purposeful.

This technique is most useful for independent research, especially when you're choosing or refining your own topic — such as in a dissertation, project, or open-topic assignment.

If your topic feels too broad, narrowing it down early on can help you avoid overload and make your research more manageable.

Try narrowing by:

• Time period — e.g. last 10 years, post-pandemic, early 2000s

• Location — e.g. UK, Global South, one specific region

• Perspective — e.g. economic, psychological, legal

• Case study — e.g. one company, event, or population group

If you're unsure how to narrow your focus, ask your tutor or supervisor. A well-scoped topic makes searching easier — and often leads to better work overall.

This is especially helpful when doing independent research beyond your reading list — such as for dissertations or open-topic assignments.

Don’t try to read everything. It’s more effective to set clear, manageable boundaries for your research time and scope.

Try this:

• Choose a starting point — e.g. 5–7 good academic sources.

• Limit your search time — e.g. 2 hours of focused searching.

• Prioritise high-quality, peer-reviewed material.

You can always return to search again — but setting limits stops you getting stuck in a cycle of endless scrolling.

This technique works well for both directed reading and independent research, especially when you’re short on time or faced with a long reading list.

Skimming helps you assess a source’s relevance quickly — so you only spend time reading what matters.

Here’s how to skim effectively:

1. Read the introduction and conclusion first

2. Look at headings, subheadings, and bold text

3. Read the first sentence of each paragraph

4. Ignore detailed examples or data until you decide it’s useful

If it looks relevant, then go back and read it properly. If not, move on.

Citation chaining can help you avoid endless searching by using one useful article to lead you to more relevant ones. Instead of starting from scratch every time, you follow the trail of academic connections — which can save time and reduce overload.

Try it when you're doing independent research (e.g. for a dissertation, project, or in-depth assignment).

There are two simple techniques:

• Backward chaining: Check the article’s reference list to find earlier research the author used.

• Forward chaining: Use tools like LibrarySearch or Google Scholar to see who has cited that article since it was published.

This can help you:

• Focus your reading on related, high-quality sources

• Avoid wading through hundreds of irrelevant search results

• Follow how ideas develop over time — without getting lost

You don’t need to use this technique for every task. But when you’re feeling overwhelmed by too many results, citation chaining can help you stay on track by building from what you already have.

Want to learn more?
See our full guide: Citation Chaining Techniques

This applies to both reading list tasks and independent research. Knowing when to stop can save time and reduce stress.

It’s tempting to keep searching “just in case” — but more isn’t always better.

Consider stopping when:

• You’ve met the assignment brief (e.g. required number/type of sources)

• New sources keep repeating what you’ve already found

• You feel confident in the material you have

You’re not expected to find everything. Trust your judgement — and move on to writing or planning your assignment.

If you’re still feeling stuck — even after trying the strategies above — that’s okay. These simple steps can help you reset and regain focus:

Take a break:
Step away for a short walk, stretch, or screen-free moment. Even a few minutes can give your brain time to reset.

Talk it out:
Explaining your ideas out loud — to a classmate, tutor, or friend — can help you make sense of what matters and what to focus on next.