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PSYC 904: First-Year Graduate Seminar (UNH Durham)

Tips from Your Librarian

  • I strongly recommend searching more than one database, especially if you are trying to be somewhat comprehensive. Different results rise to the top based on each database's content and coverage as well as how that particular search interface's algorithm works.
  • The mix of databases to search should include at least one specialized database: for psychology, PsycINFO is the one I'd recommend, and at least one multidisciplinary database, for example, Google Scholar, the library search box, or Web of Science. Depending on your topic, other specialized databases may also be useful.
  • A specialized database such as PsycINFO more easily gets you into the literature of your field, helps with learning the terminology/jargon (subject terms or descriptors) used in the field, and offers useful filters that aren't available in more general databases. Very helpful filters in the Advanced Search in PsycINFO (through EBSCOhost) include Age Groups, Population Group, and Methodology.
  • If you use JSTOR, please be aware that the full text for the most recent 2-5 years for many journals is usually not included.

Databases to Consider

Depending on your specific topic, one of these specialized databases may be helpful. For more online resources, check out the complete Database List.

Initial Search Options

Start here!

The UNH Library search box provides one-stop searching for books and e-books; articles in newspapers, journals, and magazines; and streaming video and audio - it searches multiple databases at once.

To get relevant results, click on Advanced Search and use the Ways to Search with Keywords, Limiting Your Search Results, and Search Tips & Tricks below to research like a pro!

  • If you're not sure which search terms to use, try Google Scholar to start - its natural language searching may bring back articles using terms you never thought of!

Google Scholar (GS) is useful for specific kinds of searching

  • When you don't know the right terms to search, GS uses natural language searching which can help you fish around for useful search terms. 
  • When you find one great article, you can use GS - type in the article title, then in the listing click "cited by" to see who has cited that article in their more recent one.
  • When you want to look for unpublished articles or other grey literature.

Please note: you can search it like and advanced search in a database, using AND, OR, or NOT to search.

Use GS settings to choose UNH Library!

  • That will show you what you have access to via UNH Library in the right column.

Conference Proceedings

Conference papers may discuss leading-edge research or new concepts or technologies still being developed.

Some databases such as PsycINFO, ERIC, and Sociological Abstracts include records for papers presented at conferences and/or for conference proceedings. There's usually an option to filter or limit search results to this type of document. Often only the abstract is published or available. Conference papers sometimes become the basis for articles published in journals. More recently, some conference papers may be deposited in the author's institutional repository. At times, contacting one of the presenters may be the only way to get the complete paper presented.

Two data bases that focus on conference proceedings include