Library Research Module for Psychopharmacology - Station 1

Welcome to Station 1--Using PsycINFO


Station 1 -- Using PsycINFO
Station 2 -- Using ERIC
Station 3 -- Comparing PsycINFO and ERIC
Station 4 -- Finding Empirical Research
Station 5 -- Finding Full Text Articles using the Journal Finder
Station 6 -- Finding Tests and Measurements
Station 7 -- Finding Medical Resources
yellow box Using the "Find It" Tool

If you have questions about the terminology in this exercise, consult this Glossary of Library and Internet Terms. 

Your Name: 
Your NSU e-mail address: 
Section/CRN number: 

STATION 1
Using PsycINFO 

PsycINFO is the premier database in the field of psychology and is produced by the American Psychological Association. It is an excellent resource for locating journal articles, books, and disserations on psychology-related topics.

Tips for Selecting a Topic

  • Choose a topic you wish to explore.
  • Be sure your topic is focused. (If you are finding hundreds and even thousands of records, your topic is still too broad.)You need to be able to locate published studies that are in your area of interest in order to identify strengths and limitations of previous studies, gaps in the literature, and major trends and patterns in the results. You may wish to also locate research about the strengths and weaknesses of methods the same or similar to those you plan to use to investigate your research question and data analysis techniques.

To get an in-depth information on how to search PsycINFO go the PsycINFO Tutorial

Tips for Constructing a Search


Activity 1

Topic Selection & Constructing a Search

  1. Access the Alvin Sherman Library at www.nova.edu/library/main/ and click on the the Electronic Resources link at the top of the page.
  2. Click on Databases.
  3. Select NSU Patrons, input your last name and University ID number (N#). Cclick on the Submit button.
  4. Under Browse by Subject select Psychology and Behavioral Sciences.
  5. From the Psychology & Behavioral Sciences page, select PsycINFO - (Cambridge Scientific Abstracts).
  6. Select a topic of interest to you and enter the information below and in the PsycINFO Advanced Search
Topic chosen: 
  1. Break your topic into main concepts or key search terms.
  2. Consider synonyms for your search terms.
  3. Enter the information below:
First concept/search term: 
  OR
Second concept/search term: 
  OR
Third concept/search term:
(optional)
  OR
  1. Input one or all of your key search terms from above and input them in the search box.
Number of Records Retrieved: 

Focusing a Search Using Descriptors

Descriptors allow you to do more focused searches on your specific subject. You can check the PsycINFO Thesaurus by clicking on the Thesaurus from the Search Tools menu. Enter your term and click on Go. Browse a term from the alphabetical index.

  1. Click on the term to read the scope note. Once you know the term, click on the Advanced Search tab to go to the main search page and enter your terms.
  2. Identify appropriate descriptors for your main concepts and enter below:
PsycINFO Descriptor
for first concept
   OR
PsycINFO descriptor
for second concept
   OR
PsycINFO descriptor
for third concept
  OR
  1. Use the suggested descriptors to revise your search.
  2. Examine your search results.
Did the descriptors locate useful resources on your specific topic? Yes  No  Not sure
Number of records retrieved using descriptor(s)  
  1. Limit your search to:

    2.  
    1. The last 10 years. Type the desired years into the Year field. For example, 1995-2004
    2. A specific age group. Choose the Age Group field from the pull-down menu on the right-hand side of the search box, for example adolescence, childhood
Number of records retrieved using the above limits:   
  1. From the result list, select the following:
     
    1. A peer-reviewed article -- Select a record of a journal article, and enter the information from the journal record below:
Author(s): 
  
Article Title: 
  
Journal Title: 
  
Date of publication: 
  
Volume, Issue #, and Page #s:
  
What date did you retrieve the article?
 
    1. an edited book
Author/editor(s): 
  
Book Title: 
  
Date of Publication: 
  
Place of Publication: 
  

Tips for Citing Journal Articles Retrieved from Online Databases

Journal articles that are retrieved full text online need to include a retrieval statement in the citation.

For example:

Welsh, C. (2004). Harry Potter and butterbeer. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 43(1), 9-10. Retrieved July 25, 2005, from PsycINFO database.

For additional examples of how to format journal articles obtained online from NSU databases and/or other NSU resources, take a look at the How to Cite Sources: APA Style

For help in refining or focusing your search, contact the Reference Desk at (800) 541-6682 ext. 24613 or locally in Broward County at (954) 262-4613. You can also Ask A Librarian by email.

Congratulations!
Now you may leave Station 1 of the Library Research Module for Psychopharmacology.
All aboard for Station 2!

IMPORTANT: Print this page or write down all the information because you will need them to complete the next activities.

To submit this portion of the Library Research Module, click on the "Send Information" button below.

To receive credit for the activity,
be sure to forward the confirmation email message to your instructor,
Mou Chakraborty at: mou@nova.edu

If you have any questions/comments about this research module,
please email Mou Chakraborty at mou@nova.edu



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