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Psychology: Searching PsycInfo

A specific collection of library resources for Psychology majors.

Keyword Searching with Boolean Connectors

 

Advance Searching with Keywords and Boolean Connectors

Broad Keyword Searches

  • Starting with a single keyword or phrase will result in a broad set of search results. 
  • Consider your vocabulary. If your results are too broad use more specific synonyms or narrower terms. If your results are too narrow consider broader language. 

 

Boolean Connectors 

Boolean Connectors allow for complex searching. These operators can help researches locate highly relevant sources on a specific topic. 

  • AND: combines two terms and commands the tool to limit results to sources that include BOTH the first keyword and the second keyword.
  • OR: combines two terms that are synonyms. OR commands the tool to search for sources where EITHER the first keyword OR the second keyword is present. OR broadens a search.
  • NOT: is exclusionary and will command the tool to limit and narrow results by including sources where the first keyword is present but the second keyword is NOT present. 

 

Searching within Fields 

  • Users can add as many keywords as necessary and use various combinations of Boolean connectors for complex searching. 
  • Users can also search within different fields by using the right-hand dropdown menu and command the tool to search for sources where the keyword appears in the source's TITLE, ABASTRACT, TEXT. Or users can search for specific AUTHORS. 

Database Filters

Applying Filters to Limit your Results

Source Filters

You may reduce the number of results in your results list by applying additional filters depending on the type of information that best meets your needs including: Dissertations, Books, Journal Articles and Encyclopedias. 

Limit to Full-Text

Not all information in PsycInfo is fully available instantaneously. There are entries that only offer an abstract that describe the source. Use the Full-text filter to limit your results to sources that are fully available. 

Limit to Peer-Review

There are various sources in PsycInfo that are not peer-reviewed including dissertations, encyclopedias, and books. The peer-reviewed filter will reduce sources to articles that have been refereed. 

All Filters

  • Publisher
  • Publication
  • Language

Filters that limit studies parameters 

  • Age limits the study population to a certain age range
  • Gender limits the study population by gender
  • Methodology limits research by various methodologies including but not limited to Empirical, Qualitative, Literature Review, Interview, and Longitudinal
  • Tests & Measures will limit  research to studies to a commonly used instrument that is validated by the community

 

 

Database Tools

Database Tools

Quotation Marks will provide you the source citation and APA and other styles. 

Right-hand Arrow will allow you to share the source's record with others or to send it to Google Drive, Microsoft Onedrive, and to create a firewalled permalink back to the article (browser link will not work for future access). 

Downward Arrow allows you to save the full-text articles

Item Record

The Source Record

Click on a title from your results list to access the source's record. The record will provide all the descriptive bibliographic information necessary. 

  • Title
  • Authors including affiliations
  • Source is the journal

Not shown filters include

  • Abstract that describes the source and includes information such as methodology, results, and conclusion. 
  • Subject Headings that are clickable and will lead to similar results
  • Study Parameters including Methodology, Population, Age Group among others