Holy Spirit Library

Reference Wiki for Intro to Psychology: APA Style Research Paper

Wiki Hint:  Use the right mouse click on any hyperlink to open the web page in a new window.

 

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Selecting a Topic:

 

• Selecting a topic can be challenging. Try to find a topic that you like or are curious about. You can use CAVALOG or browse the library's collections to find a topic.  

 

• Once you have your topic, write it out as a sentence or question  and select the main concepts. 

 

• Read through background information.  Your textbook, library books, Credo Ref, the collection of e-Reference books,  or the DSM IV from Psychiatry Online,  can help in this process. 

 

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Books & E-Books:

 

Books are shelved in subject categories according to the Library of Congress classification system. You can browse the shelves for a book on your topic. Select this link to find a listing of some of the subject locations in psychology.

 

CAVALOG is the library’s catalog.  CAVALOG  is used to find books, e-books, videos, DVDs and other materials.   Access points are word/phrase, author, title, subject, and series.  

• Connect to CAVALOG
• To find e-books use the Search limits and set location to Internet.   How to: CAVALOG+e-books.wmv  or CAVALOG e-books.ppt 

 

 

 

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Finding Articles:

 

The primary periodical databases, PsycArticles, PsycINFO, and Academic Search Premier are available by selecting the subject Social Sciences from the Databases link on the Library's homepage.    Secondary periodical databases, Education Research Complete, and ERIC are available by selecting the Education subject link.    

 

• PsycArticles: Learn more about the database.  View a tutorial.   Connect   

 

• PsycINFO:     Learn more about the database.  View a  tutorial.  Connect 

 

• ProQuest Psychology Journals: Learn more about the database. View a tutorial  Connect

 

• Academic Search Premier:   Learn more about the database. View a tutorial.  (Use the scholarly peer reviewed limiter)  Connect

 

• Education Research Complete:  Learn more about the database.    (Use the scholarly peer reviewed limiter) Connect

   
• ERIC:  Learn more about the database.  View a tutorial. (Make sure to limit your results to Journal Articles) Connect

 

For tips on how to use the databases see:Intro to Psych Databases Search Tips 2009.doc 

 

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Writing Helps:

 

APA Style:   The preferred style for the Social Sciences. 

 

Style Guides:  APA and others.  (Check with your instructor to make sure you're using the appropriate citation style)  

 

The Writing Center :  Located in Room 110 of the Iadarola Center for Science Education and Technology.

 

 

Examples of Research Papers and Outlines:    

 

Sample APA paper from the Bedford Handbook

 

Sample APA paper from Illinois State University 

  

Sample Sentence outline from Oakton Community College 

 

 

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Credits:

PsycArticles tutorial ©: Alvin Sherman Library, Nova Southeastern University and the Broward Cty. Board of County Commissioners http://www.nova.edu/library/main/

PsycINFO tutorial Â©: Carol Howe, Gabriele Library, Immaculata University  http://library.immaculata.edu/

ProQuest Psychology journals ©:  Alvin Sherman Library, Nova Southeastern University and the Broward Cty. Board of County Commissioners http://www.nova.edu/library/main/

Academic Search Premier tutorial ©: EbscoHost  http://support.epnet.com/

ERIC tutorial ©: Paul Betty, Regis University Library  http://www.regis.edu/library.htm

APA formatting style guide ©: The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue University http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/