Step by step guide for searching for articles within the PSU Library System:
1. Go to: http://www.lib.pdx.edu Note: if you are using an off-campus computer, this won’t work until you follow the instructions for “off campus access” on the database page.
2. Under the “Find It” heading, click on “Databases”
3. Click “P”, or scroll to bottom of page and click “Continue to K-Z alphabetical list”
4. Scroll to and click on “PsycInfo”. This is a database of psychology related articles. Note the icons across the top of the page (Author, Title, Journal, etc). These are various tools to assist you in your quest for knowledge. Becoming familiar with this page will make your psych-related college life much easier. Note: you may also go to a different database labeled "EBSCO." The advantage of this database is that it contains many full text articles (this means you can just download the whole article from the computer versus tracking down the journal in the library).
5. In space below “Enter Keyword or phrase”, type your subject of interest: For example: “Five Factor Personality Model” or one of the components of the Five Factor Personality Model such as “extroversion”.
6. See the “Map Term to Subject Heading” box? UN-check it. A checked box will provide you with a list of related subject terms, which can be extremely useful if you want to expand your search. Since we know what we’re looking for, leaving the box blank saves us a step or two.
7. The same page appears, now with a “Search History”. The database has located a number of articles that explore your subject of interest (eg: the Five Factor Personality Model). Click the “Display” box. All the individual articles are displayed.
8. Scroll through the list, and check the box on the left had side of any article that looks interesting to you. For assignment #2 you’ll only need to find 3, but it’s a good idea to select at least 6 while you’re here in case some articles aren’t available. Also, be sure that you’re selecting EMPIRICAL STUDIES, and not reviews or theoretical papers. You should be able to distinguish between the nature of an article by reviewing it’s Abstract, which may also help to ensure your interest in the article.
9. After checking the boxes, in the lower right hand corner find the “Display” box and click it. A listing of only the articles you selected are presented
10. Print, or write down the Author, Title, and Source of each article.
11. Now, you need to find out if our library has these journals. Go to http://vikat.pdx.edu
12. In the open box, type one of your JOURNAL Titles, which is under the “Source” heading. Example: Journal of Personality Research
13. Click on “Title”. If the library has the Journal, then a call number (eg. BF1 .J62) will arise. Write the call number down and the floor number down. The call number represents where you would find the journal in the library. The floor number represents which floor of the library the journal can be found on. If there is no call number, the library doesn’t have the journal.
14. Repeat step 12 for each of your Journal titles.
15. With the call numbers be brave and search the PSU library for each of your journals. If you have trouble locating a journal, go to an info desk, show them your call numbers and they’ll tell you where to go. Happy hunting!
If you have questions or any problems, feel free to contact Joni or David for assistance.
Library contact for social sciences
Sarah Beasley
5-3688