Course research guide
psychology topics

This guide provides titles of and links to library resources that can help you with your psychology assignment.

Scholary v. Popular Articles guide & Search Sheet (Word doc)
Need some extra help with your search strategy? Fill in this form (as much as you can) and send it to me.

Have fun with your search, and let me know if you have questions or need help at any time!

I. Define Topic

II. Devise Strategy

III. Search: Reference, Books, Articles, Web

IV. Evaluate & Cite

I. Define Topic - reference sources in section III. below can help you with this part!

What topic are you researching?

List what you know about your topic -- who, what, when, where, why, and how:

What would you like to find out about your topic? What questions do you have? What are your learning issues?

II. Devise Strategy - create a flexible search plan, list key words/names

If you're researching a particular topic, such as "body image", then you need to list as many synonyms and related key words as possible. Use the list of words to create multiple combinations with the word AND in order to have a successful search:

body image, self image, self esteem, self worth
kids, children, adolescents, men, women, teens, teenagers
eating disorders, anorexia, bulimia, body dysmorphic disorder

body image	and	children	and	eating disorder*
or		or		or
self image	and	adolescent*	and	anorexia
or		or		or
self esteem	and	teen*	and	bulimia

So...what's the difference between KEYWORD v. SUBJECT searching?

Keyword search = to combine key words or for more specific search; finds items that contain your keywords
Subject search = for broad search or when you know terminology; finds items that are about that topic

TIPS:

Use symbols such as the * at the end of key words to pick up alternate endings. (teen* = teen, teens, teenager, etc.)
Use keyword and subject searching together: start with a keyword search, find an item that's relevant, then look for subject headings within item descriptions and incorporate those subject words into your search strategy.

I. Define Topic

II. Devise Strategy

III. Search: Reference, Books, Articles, Web

IV. Evaluate & Cite

III. Search Sources

A. REFERENCE sources - Looking for background information or facts?

Sources labeled Ref are in print and available at the SAC Library, 2nd floor reference room. You can also check your local library catalog to see if they own a copy. Online databases require a login from off-campus.You can get login info HERE. (What does the login page look like?)

Location & Call No.	Reference Source Title
Online database	Access Science (search/browse Psychiatry & Psychology)
Online database	Gale Virtual Reference Library (all topics; various specialized encyclopedias)
Online database	Opposing Viewpoints -or- CQ Researcher (hot topics; controversial issues)
Online database	Credo Reference (all topics; search/browse Philosophy & Psychology)
Ref BF31 .E52	Encyclopedia of Psychology (8 v.)
Ref BF31 .E52	Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology & Behavioral Science(4 v.)
Ref BF31 .B25	Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology & Counseling
Ref BF31 .C72	Dictionary of Psychology
Ref BF31 .M33	Magill's Encyclopedia of Social Science: Psychology (4 v.)
Ref BF76.7 .P83	Publication Manual of the APA
Ref BF121 .H1955	Handbook of Psychology (12 v.)
Ref BF173 .F6176	Freud Encyclopedia : theory, therapy, and culture
Ref BF531 .E55	Encyclopedia of Human Emotions (2 v.)
Ref BF 721 .H242	Handbook of Child Psychology (4 v.)
Ref BF575 .S75 M235	Encyclopedia of Stress
Ref HM425 .E5	Encyclopedia of Sociology (5 v.)
Ref HM886 .E53	Encyclopedia of Violence, Peace, & Conflict (3 v.)
Ref HN 57 .E59	Encyclopedia of Social Issues (6 v.)
Ref HN90.V5 V5474	Violence in America: an encyclopedia (3 v.)
Ref HQ534 .E53	Encyclopedia of Family Life (5 v.)
Ref HQ774 .I528	Infancy in America: an encyclopedia (2 v.)
Ref HQ777 .G5745	Girlhood in America: an encyclopedia (2 v.)
Ref HQ796 .A33247	Adolescence in America: an encyclopedia (2 v.)
Ref HQ1073 .H36	Handbook of Death & Dying (2 v.)
Ref HQ1115 .E43	Encyclopedia of Women & Gender (2 v.)
Ref HV5804 .E53	Encyclopedia of Drugs, Alcohol, & Addictive Behavior (4 v.)
Ref HV6431 .P798	Psychology of Terrorism (4 v.)
Ref RC437 .K34 2001	Encyclopedia of Mental Health
Ref RC437 .G35 2003	Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders (2 v.)
Ref RC455.2 .C4 D536 2000	Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders : DSM-IV-TR

I. Define Topic

II. Devise Strategy

III. Search: Reference, Books, Articles, Web

IV. Evaluate & Cite

B. BOOKS, VIDEOS, other items - Looking for in-depth information?

Remember the old timey Card Catalog? There were 3 ways you could search it: Author, Title, SUBJECT
With the online Catalog, start with a Keyword search, then look for Subject headings. Use Subjects in your searching to increase relevance and decrease frustration!

NetLibrary (eBooks)
How to check out books & eBooks

I. Define Topic

II. Devise Strategy

III. Search: Reference, Books, Articles, Web

IV. Evaluate & Cite

C. ARTICLES - Looking for current information or need to highlight a specific issue?

Online databases require a login from off-campus.You can get login info HERE. (What does the login page look like?)

PsycARTICLES (psychology & psychiatry journals only)
Academic Search Complete (all topics; has scholarly psychology, sociology, and education journals)
More...

NOTE: If the full-text of the article isn't available online use the Journal Locator. Just type in the periodical title to see if SAC Library owns a paper copy or if another database offers full-text. You can also use the Journal Locator to Browse by Subject Category: Social Sciences > Psychology