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Psychology

Tips and Topics

  • Choose scholarly (peer reviewed) sources not popular sources. 
    • Scholarly sources will be more accurate, credible, and relevant than popular sources.

 

  • Keep in mind what terminology is being used in the current field of study when creating keywords, but also be aware of what terms USED to be used.
    • Some researchers will still add old terminology to their search terms to reach a larger audience
    • Most researchers will always add their work using the most recent terminology as well.

 

  • When searching break down your topic into more specific terms. 
    • Try to focus on one aspect of your topic 
    • You will get more relevant narrowed results
    • This will help you create a more focused-manageable research project

 

  • Make use of the limiters in the advanced search function within databases
    • You can limit by publication date
    • Subject matter
    • Scholarly articles
    •  Full text

 

  • Sort your results by most relevant and then use your limiters to exclude any publications outside of your publication date criteria.
    • This will give you articles that are most useful but still recent enough for your project.

 

  • Search multiple EBSCO databases at once to save time and cover more ground
    • Above the search bar is an option for Choose Databases
    • Click that link and you will be presented with a list of available EBSCO databases
    • Choose the ones you want to search through and continue back to the search bar

 

  • If you are stuck on search terms look at the subject headings of an article you found useful and try one of those in your search string.
    • You can also look to the bottom left or sometimes the top right to find a link that says "Find Similar Articles"

 

  • If you want to save a link to an article be sure to use the permalink or save the DOI (Digital Object Identifier). 
    • This will lead you directly back to the article, but you may be required to sign in to retrieve it.
    • If you use the link from the address bar it is likely to change and you will be unable to find the article again 

A list of recommended and featured research topics for various fields of Psychology research. This link also includes lists of resources published by the American Psychological Association for each different topic listed. 

 

Research Topics is a collection of previously published articles, features, and news stories. They are meant to serve as an information clearinghouse and represent some of APS’s most requested and publicly relevant subjects. Note: this content may reflect the accepted style and terminology of the date the articles were first published.

 

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is the largest supporter of the world’s research on substance use and addiction. Part of the National Institutes of Health, NIDA conducts and supports biomedical research to advance the science on substance use and addiction and improve individual and public health. Look below for more information on drug use, health, and NIDA’s research efforts.

 

Support and Education resources to help with learning, keeping up to date, and getting support for mental illnesses. This site can provide background information, research topic ideas, and trending information on the state of mental health in our country. 

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