Fall 2008 - Benita Jackson
Reference contact: Rocco Piccinino x2951

JOURNAL ARTICLES

Begin your research using the list of article databases below. Start with the 1st tier databases, then use the 2nd tier if necessary. For a more comprehensive list of psychology-focused databases, visit the Psychology Subject Resources Page.

Article Databases - 1st Tier

Article Databases - 2nd Tier

Finding Newspapers

Evaluating Sources - see Scholarly Journals vs. Popular Magazines.

Journal Finding Tools

When searching in Smith's databases, look for SC Links: to find full text online or print copies in the Five College Library Catalog. Note the call numbers for bound periodicals kept in the basement floor of the Young Science Library.

Journal Locator
Search by journal title to find full text of a KNOWN item. Only have a journal abbreviation? Look up the full title of a journal using one of the following resources.

JAKE (Jointly Administered Knowledge Environment)
PubMed Journals Database
All that JAS: Journal Abbreviation Sources

SEARCHING TIPS

Whether you are searching for books in the Five College Library Catalog, or searching for scholarly literature in a library database, it pays to be organized as you start your search. I like to break down searching into a three step process:

STEP 1
Write down as much information about your topic as possible. Answer the following questions:

• What is your topic?
• What questions do you have?
• What do you know? What don't you know?

Then, try to summarize what you are looking for in one or two sentences.

EXAMPLE: How does stress affect the sleep of college students?

STEP 2
Using the information in Step 1, list the main concepts of your topic.

EXAMPLE: stress, sleep, college students

STEP 3
Now create a list of synonyms of your key concepts. Think broadly, think narrowly! This step is helping you expand your search by expressing your query in a variety of ways. If you get too many results, then you can work on focusing your search.

You will use the word lists you developed in Step 3 to create search strategies. Use "OR" between synonyms and "AND" between concepts. For instance:

(college or university) AND student* AND stress* AND sleep

DOWNLOAD this worksheet (with *bonus* search tips!) to help you organize your search strategy.

HELP WITH CITATION STYLE

You are expected to select a standard citation style and to document sources correctly and consistently. If needed, suggestions for formatting your bibliography are given below.

Having trouble deciding when and how to cite? CLICK HERE to learn more about plagiarism and to test yourself. If you ever have ANY DOUBT about what to cite, talk with your professor, or Ask A Librarian.

HELP FROM A LIBRARIAN

See Need Help? Ask a Librarian! to send a question via e-mail at any time or IM a librarian during reference desk hours, or contact Reference librarian Rocco Piccinino directly.

Additionally, we appreciate your feedback on library sessions! Please fill out the following short survey: CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY!

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