Using Keywords
2 of 5Databases don't automatically add AND between your terms like Google, but instead search literally for all the words you type in next to each other.
Start a new search by clicking the Clear link to the right of the search bars.
Now try searching for bullying AND substance use.
You can put all the words in one search box, or put one concept in each search box you see.
Using Keywords
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That's still a really small number of search results for such a big topic, so let's try to expand the search.
Important concepts can often be described using more than one word or phrase. To search for one concept using multiple keywords, link them with OR.
You can either use the OR in the drop down menus between search boxes or type it manually. If you choose to type it, use parentheses to group the OR keywords together:
For example:
bullying AND (substance OR drug )
Using Keywords
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Start a new search by clicking the Clear link to the right of the search bars.
Using the three different search bars and the AND/OR/NOT drop-down menus, which combination of keywords results in the most relevant articles to explore the example research question:
Using Keywords
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Sometimes it can be challenging to think of additional keywords to describe a concept. When that happens, one option is to try using the Thesaurus feature to come up with more keywords.
1. Click on the APA Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms button in the menu at the top left of your screen.
2. In the second search box labeled Browsing: APA Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms type drug abuse and then click Browse.
3. Drug Abuse should be the first result. Click on it. The terms listed include broader, narrower, related, and used for.
When you're done using the Thesaurus, click New Search at the top of left of your screen to get back to the search page.
Keywords from Abstracts
Another way to look for additional/alternative search terms is to read the abstracts of the first few search results you find. By doing this you'll see the vocabulary that experts in your field are using, and that can help you better target how you search.
Keywords and Truncation
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When using multiple, very similar keywords you don't need to type them all out. Instead, truncate them using a * in place of the endings.
For example, use adolescen* instead of typing (adolescent OR adolescents OR adolescence).
Keywords and Truncation
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Let's try a search combining keywords and truncation.
In the APA PsychInfo Search box, use the three search boxes to search for the following:
bully*
AND
substance* OR drug*
Narrowing Down the Results
Not every article in the result list is going to be relevant to your topic question, or assignment requirements. But databases have tools called limits to help narrow down your results to the most relevant.
Using the menu on the left side of your screen, narrow your results down to articles that are from academic journals, published in the last ten years, and methodology: empirical study. You'll find the methodology option by clicking on the Methodology drop-down menu.
The search results will automatically refresh based on your selections.
Picking Which Articles to Use
You can learn a great deal about an article from its citation and abstract.
Within your search results, find the journal article,
"The effect of anger and family functions on bullying behavior in individuals with substance use disorder between the ages of 15 and 25."
Click on the title to get more information about the article.
Hint: Look in the Abstract to find a summary of the purpose, methods, results, and discussion of a research study.
Citation Resources
Start a new search by clicking on the Clear link to the right of the search bars.
In the first search box, type: is there an association between adolescent bullying victimization and substance abuse?
Click the Search button.
Click on the article title to see the full record.
Citation Resources Cont.
On the detailed record page about the journal article, you’ll notice more information about this resource as well as some tools on the right-hand side of the page.
The Cite button will present you with a citation for the article you are looking at in multiple citation styles. This can be cut and pasted into a document.
The Export button will allow you to select your preferred format and download the search result summary to your computer.
Remember: you are ultimately responsible for making sure the citation is correct, so don't just trust the database, confirm it using a Citation Style Handbook or other resource.
Getting to the Full Text
Now that you've found what looks like a relevant article, you'd like to read the whole thing.
Full-text articles are available as PDFs through PsycINFO, linked from other databases through the Find Full-Text button or the Click here for full-text link, or requested through Interlibrary Loan
If the Simmons University Library doesn't own an item, you can request it from another library.
For this article, you’ll notice a Find Full-Text button on the left-hand side of the page.
Looking Ahead
This tutorial has introduced you to searching in PsycINFO and some of the features designed to assist your process. There are many more features and search options than covered here.
For example, if you're not finding enough relevant articles in PsycINFO, you can try searching in another database like SocINDEX, either by navigating back to the Library or by clicking the Choose Databases link directly above the PsycINFO search box and using the checkboxes to select it.
Click the greater than sign symbol > next to SocINDEX to see a short description.
There is no wrong way to search, so keep trying new words, limits and databases!