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Searching PsycINFO - The EssentialsLast update: 20 May 2011, The notes below are intended to allow you to check specific functions and options on PsycINFO using the EBSCOhost platform. You'll find some short video demonstrations of actual searches on PsycINFO here. EBSCOhost's PsycINFO help is here.
Below are some brief notes to help you with the essentials of searching in PsycINFO on the EBSCOhost platform. You can find PsycINFO by searching the catalogue - use the Title option, and select Electronic Resources from the Limit box. There's also a link on my databases page, and if you right click on this link you can add it to your Favorites for future use. When searching PsycINFO always choose the Advanced Search option as this will allow you greater searching flexibility.
Boolean SearchingBoolean logic defines logical relationships between search terms. The Boolean search operators AND, OR and NOT allow you to broaden or focus your search results. The AND operator combines search terms so that each result contains all of the terms.
The OR operator combines search terms so that each result contains at least one of the terms.
The NOT operator is used to exclude search terms.
Wildcard (?) and Truncation (*) Symbols Use the wildcard and truncation symbols in searches using terms with unknown characters, multiple spellings or various endings. The wildcard is represented by a question mark (?). To use the wildcard, enter the search terms and replace each unknown character with a (?). EBSCOhost® will provide results containing variations of that character set, with the "?" replaced by a letter.
Truncation is represented by an asterisk (*). To use truncation, enter the root of a search term and replace the ending with an asterisk (*). EBSCOhost will find all available forms of that word.
Proximity SearchA Proximity Search produces results with two or more terms that appear a specified number of words (or fewer) apart in the database(s). The proximity operator is composed of a letter (N or W) and a number (to specify the number of words), placed between search terms.
Within Operator (W) - W8 will find a result if the terms are within eight (8) words of each other, in the exact order entered.
Grouping Terms Together Using ParenthesesParentheses can be used to protect the logic of your search Without parentheses, a search is executed from left to right. However, words enclosed in parentheses are searched first. Why is this important? See the examples below
In the first example, the search will retrieve everything on eating disorders, results which include both depression and self esteem, and everything on media. In the second example, parentheses control the query to find only articles about eating disorders or depression that also refer to self esteem or media. The simplest way to remember how to use parenthesese - if you use "or" use parentheses around the terms Using Field CodesThese can be used to conduct searches on either Basic or Advanced Search screens. I've compiled a list with examples
The examples above are very simple, but the complete list of field codes used in the EBSCOhost PsycINFO interface is quite long, and will allow you great flexibility in searching. Searching the ThesaurusThe PsycINFO thesaurus contains the subject headings from the Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms. American Psychological Association indexers use this controlled vocabulary known as index terms or descriptors to indicate the content of each item in the database. Subjects are assigned to every record using major and minor descriptors, which describe the primary and secondary focus of the document. Subject headings, which describe the major focus of a document, are preceded by an asterisk (*) in the PsycINFO record. For example the article
has the following thesaurus terms assigned to it
The Thesaurus is arranged in a hierarchy that permits searching various levels of detail from the most general level to more specific levels, to find the most precise concept.
To browse the Thesaurus:
I've created a short interactive video to help you learn to use the thesaurus in your searches. Displaying Search ResultsThe default display shows records in Brief format, which includes author and title of the article, name of journal, volume number, date, and pages. Only 10 records per screen are displayed. To change the display options click on Preferences
A page will open showing the options from which you can choose.
Detailed display will allow you to see abstracts for articles. Choose the options you would like, and click on Save. Saving Search Results to the FolderBefore you can email, print, or export search reults you'll need to save them to the Folder. When your search results appear, a Folder icon will be displayed at the top right of the screen.
Continue adding items page by page until you have collected all of the reults you want.
As you add the articles to the folder, you can click the Folder View to review which items have been added. Emailing, Saving, or Printing ResultsWhen you have finished collecting items click on Folder View A page will display the list of items with the options available. You can save, email, print, or export results to EndNote
Click on the option you would like, then select:-
Exporting Results to EndNoteWhen you have finished collecting items click on Folder View A page will display the list of items with the options available
The program will now open EndNote, and you can select a temporary Library to which to save the results. |
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