An analytic method that exploits the properties of the eigenphase sum and i
ts derivative is developed and implemented to study resonance structure fou
nd in the phase shift for electron scattering by diatomic molecular cations
. The approach-is used to locate narrow resonances and identify interloper
resonances found within dominant Rydberg series. The power of the technique
is illustrated for two molecular cations (oxygen and titanium oxide). [S10
50-2947(99)50412-5].