The PsycINFO Database

1
The PsycINFO Database

• The major source for research in psychology and
  related disciplines.
• Bibliographic database. No full-text.
• More than 1.9 million references.
• 1887-present. Updated weekly.

2
Accessing PsycINFO

• McQuade Librarys Web site www.noblenet.org/merr
  imack
• SelectFind Articles and MoreDatabases On
  Campus or Databases Off CampusEBSCOHost
  PsycINFO (If you are off campus enter the
  barcode number on the back of your Merrimack ID)
  

3
Ways to Search

• Basic Search
• Advanced Search
• Thesaurus
• Classification Codes

4
The PsycINFO RecordIs this a journal article, a
book or what?

• A bibliographic citation- title, author, source,
  date,vol,issue,pages
• An abstract (summary) of the article.
• Subject headings
• Descriptive information

5
Viewing and Managing Results

• Sets of ten.
• Links under the title.
• Marking, saving, printing, Emailing

6
Thesaurus

• The key to using PsycINFO
• Subject Headings/Descriptors/Index Terms
• Provides the language of the database.
• Saves time. Reduces false hits.
• Hierarchical arrangement General to narrow.
• Features scope notes/use/used
  for/narrow/broader/related

7
CLASSIFICATION CODES

• Describes the content of the PsycINFO database.
• Every record has a classification code,
  categorizing it according to the primary subject
  matter.
• PsycINFO can be searched by the classification
  code number.

8
How To Get Copies of Journal Articles

• McQuade Library Periodicals Room 2nd Floor.
• Interlibrary Loan (FREE!)
• Links to other full-text databases.
• Boston Library Consortium http//library.bu.edu1
  026/ -Call for policies -Take money -Allow
  plenty of time

9
PsycArticles Database

• Full-text database.
• From 42 peer-reviewed journals published by the
  APA and allied organizations.
• 1988 to the present.
• Covers general psychology and applied, clinical,
  and theoretical research.
• Much smaller database than PsycINFO.

10
Accessing PsycArticles

• McQuade Librarys Web site www.noblenet.org/me
  rrimack
• Select Find Articles and MoreDatabases On
  Campus or Databases Off Campus
  EbscoHost/PsycArticles(If you are off campus
  enter the barcode number on the back of your
  Merrimack ID).

11
Searching PsycArticles

• Basic Search and Advanced Search options are
  provided.
• No thesaurus
• No subject terms or descriptors.
• Fewer fields and limiters than PsycINFO.

12
Citing PsycINFO Materials

• McQuade Library WebsiteResearch and
  ReferenceHow to Cite Sources
• Publication Manual of the American Psychological
  Association, 5th ed., 2001 REF BF76.7.P83
• Online at http//www.apa.org

13
Searching Tips

• Use Boolean operators AND/OR/NOT to expand or
  limit your search.
• Use the Wildcard symbol ? to replace a single
  character. For example wom?n.
• Use the Truncation symbol and the end of a
  word. For example comput finds computer or
  computing.
• Use all methods of searching Basic (free-text),
  Advanced(field codes), Thesaurus (subject),
  Classification Codes.
• Find a relevant abstract and do a new search
  using one or more of the subject terms listed.
• Use limiters Population, form/content type, age
  group, etc.
• Start early! Research takes time. And PATIENCE!

14
Psychology Subject Guide Additional Resources
For Psychology Research

• Go to McQuade Librarys Web site at
  www.noblenet.org/merrimack
• Select Subject Guides.
• Select Psychology.