One of the biggest problems with providing an effective reference service is that of badly- formed queries. In this instance, the user's reference question doesn't match up to the information they actually need.<ref>Fields (2006), 405-420</ref> Badly- formed queries may lead to user frustration, as they perceive that the reference interview is not solving their problem.
Many of the techniques used in the reference interview are geared towards developing a badly- formed query until a sense of the user's true information need is gained. A great degree of care must be taken when helping users to develop their query. The librarian typically has little insight into the social and psychological barriers that might be preventing the user from explaining their question accurately. Anything from anxiety from an approaching deadline to lack of confidence with language can get in the way.<ref>Murphy (2005), 247-252</ref>
