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Database Search Tips

This guide will help get you started in some of our most popular databases! Happy searching! Let us know if we can help.

About

Most useful for:

  • Behavioral, social, and psychological sciences research questions

Getting Started

APA PsycINFO tutorials (from EBSCOhost)

Basic Keyword Searching

Searching with Keywords

1. Enter words or phrases that describe your topic in the search box. Put each unique concept in a separate box.

2. Combine keywords using AND or OR from the drop-down beside the search boxes.

3. Click Search.

Searching with Subject Headings + Keywords

Searching with Subject Headings

Search using the APA Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms. These are the subject headings used by PsycINFO.

1. To look up specific Psychological Index Term, on the main page below the search boxes, select the Subjects tab.
2. Enter your first concept in the search box. Click Search.



3. From the list, find the term(s) that is/are most relevant to your concept.

4. Click on the underlined term to view its broader and narrower headings and to view the scope note for the term or any related terms. 
 



5. Check the box to the left of the Subject Heading /Index Term you want to include in your search. To include a term’s narrower headings, make sure the box in the Explode column (to the right of the Index Term) is checked. 



6. Click the "add to search" button above the term list. If using more than one related term, be sure add to the search using OR.



7. Next, add any keywords that you want to use in the second search box. You'll join synonymous keywords with the Boolean Operator OR. Don't forget to change the AND to an OR in the right side dropdown next to the search box.



8. Once the term(s) are added to the search box, click the search button.

9. To search your next concept, click Advanced Search. Then, repeat steps 1-8 for each concept in your question/topic. 
 


 
Combining your Concepts
OR will find references with any of the search terms. Use OR to broaden your search. 
AND will find references with all the search terms. Use AND to narrow your search. 

Search History + Combining Result Sets

To the left of the search boxes, click Recent Activity. Check the box beside each set you wish to include in the search. Then click on "Combine with AND" or "Combine with OR" depending on whether you are joining distinct concepts (AND) or joining synonyms (OR). Note: Before combining sets, make sure the search boxes above the search history are clear!

Working with Results

How to use the Filters

1. Once you run your search, you will be able to apply filters to further limit your search results. Filters include the ability to limit by language, publication date, peer reviewed, age groups, and publication types. Select "All Filters" below the search box to get started.

2. The filters box will open on the right side of the page. 

3. Do not limit to EBSCO full text or Open Access. The GetIt@Duke button available with each citation will attempt to connect you to the full text article through Duke's subscriptions.

4. Filters for Classification as well as Tests & Measures are unique to PsycINFO. Methodology allows you to limit to different study designs. 

5. Once you've select your filters, click Apply.

Steps to Find Full-Text Articles

If you are unable to find full-text articles using the links below, you will need to order it via InterLibrary Loan (Step #3).

Before making a request for full-text articles through Interlibrary Loan (ILL), please try steps #1 and #2 to search for the full-text. This allows our service to focus on articles that are not available for free nor via our Duke subscriptions. Our Interlibrary Loan service is no charge to Duke borrowers for all article requests. If there are copyright or other fees associated with your article request, we will contact you.

  1. Find the article citation in a database: If you aren't already in a database, go back to PubMed or other database such as CINAHL, Embase, or Web of Science to look up the article. Why? Because our Get it @ Duke button will fill out the ILL form for you with all the article information – this saves you time and ensures greater citation accuracy.
  2. Click the GetIt@Duke button: Once you locate the article in a citation database, click the Get It @ Duke link.
  3. Select second button to request as Med Center User: From the page that says “We don't have this online — see below for other ways to get it” click the green button that says “Request – Med Center users.”
  4. Log on with your DHE / NetID username and password: This will take you to the ILL form. The article information will be filled into the form automatically. Scroll to the bottom, verify accuracy, and click submit.

If you can't find the citation in a database or you don't see a GetIt@Duke button, you can place a request manually through our interlibrary loan service. Follow the steps below.

Questions about Interlibrary Loan? All interlibrary loan questions should go to Louis Wiethe, Document Delivery & Interlibrary Loan Manager, 919.660.1179 or louis.wiethe@duke.edu

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