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Psychology: More Search Strategies

This is a guide to Psychology resources at Alkek Library.

More Search Strategies

More advanced searching techniques:

  • Citation chasing - backwards and forwards (left and center boxes)
  • PsycINFO Thesaurus - use a controlled vocabulary when searching PsycINFO (right box)
  • Grad student needing more in-depth help?  Try the Graduate Student Research Survival Skills guide.  (Or contact me!)

Backwards

Find a great article? 

Find out who they cited.

  • As you read through the introduction and literature review, note citations that are related to your topic.
  • Find the article information in the reference list and search for those by title in PsycINFO or using Start Your Research.

Forwards

Find a great article? 

Find out who has cited it.

  • Copy the title and search it in Google Scholar.
  • Click on "cited by" to see who else has used the article...and what they used it for.  (If it hasn't been cited much, it might not be the most important article in the area.)
  • You can also click on "related articles" to see others similar to the original you searched.  THEN, look these up in the database to ensure you're getting the published version.

PsycINFO Thesaurus

Thanks to the University of Massachusetts Lowell for this video!