Psychology 230: Research Methods

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Research & Instruction Librarian for Social Sciences & Data Literacy

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Rolvaag Library 305
St. Olaf College
Northfield, MN 55057

Subjects: Asian Conversations, Asian Studies, Chinese, Economics, Education, Family Studies, Japanese, Political Science, Psychology, Public Affairs Conversation, Public Health, Social Work, Social Work and Family Studies

Welcome!

Welcome to the Library Research Guide for Psychology 230: Research Methods! It includes information and resources designed to aid you in locating research and managing sources for your assignments this semester.

For research questions:

Email me at schaez1@stolaf.edu or schedule a research consultation if you have any questions!

For writing help:

Make an appointment with the Writing Desk for assistance with organizing ideas and improving your writing style.

Keep Track of Your Searches

Keyword/Database Tracker
This sample Google Spreadsheet illustrates one method of keeping track of your keyword searches. See the "Example Sheet" (linked at the bottom of the page) for an example of how you might write your notes. To make a copy of this file and use it for your own notetaking, click File > Make a Copy, then save your copy to your Google Drive.

In-class Slideshow

Alt text -- In-class Slideshow

Slide 1: Psych 230: Research Methods Library Session

Slide 2: What will we cover today?

How to effectively use unique filters in PsycINFO
Keeping track of your searches
How to use Browzine and use journal searches
How to conduct cited reference searches in Google Scholar and Web of Science
Zotero
How to get help from Ann!

Slide 3: What Ann’s research tracking actually looks like…

[Image: screenshot of an email Ann sent to herself. It has headers for specific resources and notes for each resource that detail the search terms, filters, and notable results that she found. It is messier than a spreadsheet, but is included to demonstrate an alternative form of research tracking.]

Slide 4 Worktime! Here are some suggestions:

Talk to your group to get a sense of where you’re at.
Look through PsycINFO and see how your initial keywords do. Mark down your searches in a spreadsheet if you’d like. Read abstracts, use subject terms, and evaluate the kinds of sources you’re getting and how you’re getting them.
Once you have a source you’re interested in using, search for its title in Google Scholar to conduct a cited reference search and locate another relevant article. Make sure to use the “Search Within Citing Articles” option.
Navigate to the Browzine page for Psychology journals and then a subcategory. To do that, click on Social Science and Behavioral Science -> Psychology -> then select a subcategory relevant to your group project.
Select a journal and browse through its issues. Are there any articles that look interesting? Check if we have access!
Try out a journal search. Go to Catalyst’s Journal Browse feature (Articles -> Browse Journals) and search for a relevant journal of your choice (perhaps you found it in Browzine?), then click on a database link. Try using keywords to find additional relevant articles.