2.2 Searching the Existing Research Literature in a Topic Area

Question 1

Primary Source

Answer 1

A firsthand report of observations or research results written by the individual(s) who actually conducted the research and made the observations.

Examples:
1) empirical journal articles,

2) theses and dissertations, and

3) conference presentations of research results.

Question 2

Secondary Source

Answer 2

A description or summary of another person’s work, written by someone who did not participate in the research or observations discussed.

Examples:
1) books and textbooks in which the author describes and summarizes past research,

2) review articles or meta-analyses,

3) the introductory section of research reports, in which previous research is presented as a foundation for the current study, and

4) newspaper and magazine articles that report on previous research.

Question 3

Literature search

Answer 3

Process of gaining a general familiarity with the current research conducted in a subject area, and finding a small set of journal articles that serve as the basis for a research idea and provide the justification or foundation for new research.

Question 4

Subject Words

Answer 4

Terms used to identify and describe the variables in a study. Subject words are used to direct a search in a database.

Question 5

Database

Answer 5

A computerized cross-referencing tool that focuses on an individual topic area (such as psychology); used for searching the literature for articles relevant to a topic.

Question 6

Abstract

Answer 6

A brief summary of the publication, usually about 100 words.

Question 7

PsycARTICLES

Answer 7

A computerized database for searching the psychological literature that contains the full text of the original publication.

Question 8

PsycINFO

Answer 8

A computerized database for searching the psychology literature for articles relevant to a research topic. PsycINFO provides abstracts or summaries for each publication.

Question 9

According to your text, the key to finding a good research idea is to find a topic that:

Answer 9

1) Is well understood
2) Is consistent with prevailing theories
3) Few others have researched
4) You want to learn more about

Question 10

The best strategy for finding a research idea is to begin with which of the following?

Answer 10

A general topic area
A very specific idea
A template of an existing experiment
A well-tested theory