The library provides a number of tools to help students get started with research. The Psychology library guide was designed to assist you with your research on psychology-related topics.
A good way to begin research is to look at information sources that deliver a basic or broad overview of your topic. The most common information sources are encyclopedias, dictionaries, biographies, and almanacs. Use these background sources to:
- obtain background information on a topic;
- focus your topic;
- clarify concepts;
- identify relevant keywords that can be used when crafting your searches;
- identify experts related to the field;
- identify seminal research works in the field; and
- obtain recommended sources for further reading.
