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PSYC 337: Stress and Coping (HC) Fall 2017

Psychology 337: Stress and Coping (Wang)

Understand the Process

  • Information research is an iterative process, meaning a cycle rather than a straight line.
     
    • Brainstorm search words -->
    • Explore initial search results -->
    • Refine your research question, and add or remove search words based on your initial search -->
    • Conduct a more targeted search -->
    • Repeat! -->
      <--  <--  <--

Brainstorm Search Words

Example

You see this article in Science Daily, and it peaks your interest. What now?

How does the absence of a maternal figure affect a child's brain development?

Step 1: Break up this research question into two or three main concepts. Ignore extraneous words.

  • Concept #1: maternal
  • Concept #2: absence
  • Concept #3: brain

Step 2: Conduct an initial search with these words, and quickly scan the results

Step 3: Using information from your initial search, add synonyms, acronyms, and variant spellings.

  • Concept #1: maternal, mother
  • Concept #2: absence, lack, deprivation
  • Concept #3: brain, neurological

Understand Boolean Operators

  • Even if the search engine you are using doesn't require you to enter boolean operators, it is still using them behind the scenes. It will help you to know the logic behind your search
    .
  • AND gives you results that include ALL of your concepts.
     
  • OR gives you results that include ANY of your concepts.
  • Essentially, you are searching:​

(maternal OR mother) AND (absence OR lack OR deprivation) AND (brain OR neurological)