Finding and Evaluating Sources for Psychology Research

Library/Databases Lecture

Introduction

Locating and evaluating sources is a foundational skill for psychology students, especially when preparing research papers or essays. This guide outlines the process of finding scholarly literature, understanding terminology, and utilizing library resources effectively.

Getting Help with Research

Library and Academic Support

• Librarian for Psychology: Specialized assistance in finding and citing psychology sources, database recommendations, and source evaluation. (Contact: Kim Buschert, [e-mail])

• Library Service Desk: Help with starting research, citation support, and locating books and articles.

• Student Learning Hub: Offers writing help, subject tutoring, learning strategies, academic integrity workshops, and self-guided resources.

• AskAway Chat Service: Online support for research and citation questions.

About Research Papers

Understanding Scholarly Literature

In psychology, the term "the literature" refers to the body of published studies, research, and scientific findings on a specific topic. These are typically found in scholarly venues such as academic journals, conference proceedings, and books.

• Academic Journals: Peer-reviewed periodicals publishing original research, reviews, and theoretical articles.

• Conference Proceedings: Collections of papers presented at academic conferences, sometimes published as abstracts or full papers.

• Books and Chapters: May be authored by a single expert or edited volumes with contributions from multiple scholars. Not always peer-reviewed but can be valuable sources.

Key Terms

• Studies: Empirical investigations or experiments addressing specific research questions.

• Articles: Written works published in journals or magazines, often reporting research findings.

• Research Papers: Detailed reports of original research, including methodology, results, and discussion.

Why the Literature Matters

• Evidence-Based Practice: Integrates the best available research with clinical expertise and patient characteristics, culture, and preferences.

• Literature Reviews: Summarize and synthesize existing research, identify gaps, and inform future studies.

Types of Sources in Psychology

Primary vs. Secondary Sources

• Primary Sources: Original research articles, empirical studies, and data reports.

• Secondary Sources: Reviews, meta-analyses, theoretical papers, and book chapters summarizing or interpreting primary research.

Peer Review Process

What is Peer Review?

Peer review is a quality control process in which submitted manuscripts are evaluated by independent experts before publication. This ensures the validity, reliability, and academic integrity of published research.

• Double-Blind Review: Both authors and reviewers remain anonymous to each other to minimize bias.

• Editorial Decision: The journal editor makes the final decision regarding acceptance or rejection based on reviewers' feedback.

Identifying Peer-Reviewed Articles

• Check the journal's website for information about peer review.

• Look for author credentials and academic affiliations.

• Examine the article structure (often IMRAD: Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion).

• Use library databases with filters for peer-reviewed content.

Evaluating Journals

Reputable vs. Predatory Journals

• Reputable Journals: Have clear scope, mission statements, recognized editorial boards, and are indexed in academic databases.

• Predatory Journals: Prioritize profit over scholarship, may have misleading information, lack transparency, and use aggressive solicitation practices.

How to Spot Predatory Journals

• Check for spelling/grammar errors and poor website design.

• Verify editorial team and contact information.

• See if the journal is indexed by reputable libraries.

• Be cautious if publication is guaranteed with a fee or if unsolicited invitations are received.

Searching for Research Papers

Search Strategies and Tools

• Library Databases: PsycINFO (best for psychology), CINAHL, Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and specialized databases.

• Google Scholar: Searches scholarly literature from various sources; useful for initial searches but requires careful evaluation of results.

• Advanced Search Features: Use phrase searching (quotes), truncation (asterisk), filters (peer review, date range), and controlled vocabulary (thesaurus).

Developing a Search Strategy

1. Decide on your topic or research question.

2. Develop search terms and identify key concepts.

3. Brainstorm synonyms and related terms.

4. Set criteria (date range, population, article type).

5. Combine keywords using Boolean operators (AND, OR).

Example: Boolean Search for CBT and Depression in Teens

• Key Concepts: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Depression, Teens

• Boolean Search: CBT AND depression AND teens

• Synonyms:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: "cognitive behavioural therapy" OR "cognitive behavioral therapy"

  • Depression: depression OR "depressive disorder" OR depressed OR "bipolar disorder"

  • Teens: teens OR teenagers OR adolescents OR youth OR "young adults"

Evaluating Sources

Criteria for a Good Source

• Rationale: Why is the source relevant to your research?

• Authority: Is the author credible and qualified?

• Date: Is the information current?

• Relevance: Does the source address your research question?

Citing Sources

APA Citation and Management

• Use the APA citation style for psychology papers.

• Library guides and tutorials are available for citation help.

• Citation management tools (e.g., Mendeley, Zotero) can help organize references and generate bibliographies.

Resources for Psychology Research

• UBC Library Psychology Research Guide

• UBC Library Guide to Literature Reviews

• UBC Library Canvas Course: Advanced searching, evaluating sources, and APA citation modules

Summary Table: Types of Psychology Sources

Source Type	Description	Peer Reviewed?
Journal Article	Original research, reviews, or theoretical papers	Usually
Conference Paper	Presented at academic conferences, sometimes published	Sometimes
Book/Chapter	Comprehensive coverage of topics, may be edited volumes	Rarely
Systematic Review	Synthesizes results from multiple studies	Yes
Practice Database	Training videos, tests, instruments	No

Additional info: These notes expand on brief points from the original slides and text, providing definitions, examples, and academic context for psychology students preparing research papers.